ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Sunday hit back on critics, rejected all allegations of political engineering and intimidation of business community against the anti-graft body.

Justice Iqbal reiterated that the NAB and economy have been running together but NAB and corruption will not co-exist.

His statement was an obvious reference to PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari who on more than one occasions said that the NAB and economy can’t function together.

Addressing to a press conference, the NAB chairman said he has never reacted to allegations against him but considers it necessary to respond to allegations against his institution.

“Not doing so would have proved harmful for the NAB,” said he.

He said claims that the NAB is frightening businessman are not true, adding that the anti-corruption body was determined to protect the business community.

The NAB chairman said some people have wrongfully held NAB responsible for the current economic situation. “What has NAB to do with dollar’s increasing value,” he asked.

“I am neither an economist nor a politician. I started my life from the judiciary and my entire career is an open book,” said he.

He said the NAB has taken no such step which could have proved destructive for the country’s economy. NAB is not a foreign entity. It’s the only aim is to protect the business community.

“Should we play a silent spectator if Rs500,000 are being charged for a work that costs Rs5000.

“We have done nothing wrong by asking unscrupulous elements about their corruption. It is a poor country, and the current economic crisis is a national crisis,” he said. I am expressing my opinion to clear that NAB has nothing to do with the economic crisis.

He said the NAB’s regional office in Lahore has received letters from businessmen Arif Habib Mian and Mian Mansha appreciating the anti-corruption body’s performance.

Talking about the claims that the NAB was meddling in Telegraph Transfers (TT), he said his department has done no such thing as far as businessmen are concerned. “It is not our mandate,” said he.

He, however, added that in accordance with the law NAB can ask public officer holds about legality of their TTs.

“Those who have held public office will be interrogated to curb money laundering”.

He said the NAB would ensure that FATF removes  Pakistan from the grey list.