NAB sets record with Rs6.2tr recovery in 2025

February 4, 2026 (MLN): The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recovered a record Rs6.213 trillion in 2025, the highest annual total since its establishment in 1999, according to the Bureau’s latest annual performance report.

This milestone positions NAB’s cumulative recoveries over the past three years at Rs11.524tr (approximately $41bn), more than half of which came in 2025 alone, and nearly thirteen times higher than the recoveries recorded over the previous 23 years.

A major component of the recoveries was the reclamation of 2.98m acres of encroached state and forest land, valued at Rs5.98tr, according to the press release.

NAB Sukkur led regional efforts by reclaiming 1.63m acres (Rs3.73tr), followed by NAB Balochistan with 1.02m acres (Rs1.374tr) and NAB Multan with 0.33m acres (Rs653.97bn).

Additionally, 51 canals worth Rs29.41bn were restored in the Federal Capital Territory.

Public relief efforts also featured prominently, with Rs180bn disbursed to 115,587 affectees of fraudulent housing and investment schemes.

Digital compensation mechanisms enabled direct transfers, including Rs2.8bn to 12,892 individuals through the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

Notable disbursements included Rs5.4bn to 1,126 affectees of Al-Bari Group, Rs4.36bn to 11,889 Eden Housing scheme participants, Rs72.23bn in plots to 6,750 beneficiaries of the State Life Cooperative Housing Society scam, Rs3.16bn to 17,500 B4U Global affectees, and Rs8.87bn to 1,211 AAA Associates participants.

Provincial governments and financial institutions received Rs10.06bn in recoveries.

To ensure transparency and financial protection, NAB introduced Profit-Bearing Accounts (NIDA) to preserve the time value of recovered funds during disbursement.

Institutional reforms included the establishment of specialized Facilitation Cells catering to parliamentarians, government officials, business communities, and overseas Pakistanis.

The Operations Division processed 23,411 complaints, of which 367 were deemed cognizable, showing a 24% decline in fresh complaints compared to previous years and a 52% reduction in complaints against public office holders and businessmen.

The Bureau completed 191 inquiries and 65 investigations, while 152 inquiries and 56 investigations were closed or referred to other agencies, with an overall 12.4% decline in under-process cases. Whistleblower-driven complaints rose 41% over the previous year.

Technological modernization and digital transformation were central to NAB’s operations.

Investigations were supported by AI-assisted tools, blockchain analysis, and digital forensics coordinated through the Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy (PACA), which conducted 42 training events in 2025.

Prosecution success rates remained high, with 72% of cases disposed of in courts.

Approximately 302 references were under process in accountability courts, while 246 references were transferred to other departments due to NAO-1999 amendments.

The Bureau also implemented internal cost-saving measures aligned with federal austerity policies, including abolishing 238 posts (saving Rs356m annually), cutting fuel consumption by 30%, increasing reliance on virtual meetings, and disposing of 13 departmental inquiries.

A robust intelligence network identified individuals impersonating senior NAB officers for illicit gain.

NAB strengthened international and private-sector collaboration, signing MoUs with anti-corruption agencies in Malaysia (MACC), Saudi Arabia (Nazaha), and Nigeria (EFCC).

The Bureau also attached Rs127bn in assets in 39 high-profile anti-money laundering cases.

The 2025 results underscore NAB’s integration of record financial recoveries with institutional reforms, digital innovation, and citizen-centric relief, reflecting a significant expansion in Pakistan’s accountability framework and recovery of public resources.

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