National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazeer Ahmad Butt has said that in the past, the bureau lacked the right attitude and assured that the NAB will treat people in a decent manner now.

He said this during his visit to the NAB Lahore office on Monday.

Lt Gen Butt said the bureau was returning the looted money to the victims, as it was using modern technology to facilitate the victims. He further said that seven out of every 10 people were victims of housing society scams.

The NAB chief further elaborated that now the names of the suspects would be kept confidential and unnecessary advertising would be banned.

“We are trying to show that a suspect should not be called a suspect but a respondent,” he added, explaining that calling a suspect so put a huge burden on the mind of defaming someone.

Butt said all the stakeholders should contribute to working together, adding that a single individual or institution could not eliminate the problem of corruption.

“Corruption is a big disease,” he insisted, adding that if there is fear in society or among businessmen, it means the NAB is not performing.

He further clarified that the NAB will not harass businessmen, and they should continue to play a role in the country's development. “The NAB will support the business community,” he claimed.

About the accountability of civil servants, he said first, the chief secretary should investigate and provide an answer. “If everyone is scared, how will the country and the economy run?”

He said the whole neighbourhood should not be disturbed for arresting a thief. “Corruption has not reduced so much for me to claim a proud reduction,” he remarked.