NAB plans new property regulations after scrapping file system

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed said on Wednesday that a new set of real estate reforms would be introduced within two months, with the proposed changes aimed at reshaping the sector’s regulatory framework.

Speaking during an informal media briefing, he said the proposed changes will soon be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval. He explained that one of the most significant reforms includes the abolition of the traditional file system in the real estate sector.

Once the new system is fully implemented, responsibility will be directly shifted to developers to ensure better accountability and reduce delays and misuse of authority. In addition, he stated that cases involving members of parliament are still ongoing.

However, NAB has stopped issuing press releases on such matters to maintain procedural discipline and avoid unnecessary public debate. He also confirmed that several cases have been transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency and provincial anti-corruption departments for further action.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of fair treatment in the accountability process. He said that suspects must be treated with the same dignity as investigators. According to him, the current NAB approach is very different from its past practices, reflecting a shift toward a more balanced system.

Meanwhile, he strongly criticized a recent International Monetary Fund report, calling its observations on governance and corruption inaccurate and not based on reality. He also stated that no country receives a complete clearance or clean status from such institutions, highlighting limitations in global assessments.

Similarly, he raised concerns about Transparency International, questioning its funding sources and survey methods, suggesting that its reports may not fully reflect ground realities. On performance, he claimed that NAB’s recoveries over the last three months are among the highest globally.