��������

KARACHI: Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said on Saturday it had recovered Rs456.3 billion ($1.6 billion) worth of looted national wealth and compensated government departments, institutions and more than 12,000 individuals.

NAB is Pakistan’s primary anti-corruption agency and its core function is to eliminate corruption by investigating allegations of corruption, misuse of authority and financial crimes. It also works to recover assets acquired through illegal means.

The watchdog said the Rs456.3 billion recovery in the second quarter of 2025 marked a substantial increase of Rs91.01 billion, compared to Rs365.29 billion recovered during the first quarter of this year.

“Out of said recoveries of Rs547.31 billion for the first two quarters of 2025, movable and immovable properties worth Rs532.33 billion have been disbursed/handed over to different Ministries & Departments of Federal and Provincial Governments as well as Financial Institutions,” it said.

“Whereas, 12,611 affectees of different cheating public at large cases have also been compensated.”

Pakistan ranks 135 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, after falling two spots below its ranking in 2023.

In his quarterly report issued on Saturday, NAB said it remains committed to safeguarding state assets and interests of the general public and recovering funds belonging to the national exchequer.

“In the past two years, NAB has recovered a staggering total of Rs5,854.73 billion, which is 700 percent more that of Rs839.08 billion recovered since the Bureau’s inception [in 1999],” it said.

“Currently, NAB is actively coordinating with the revenue departments of all provinces to recover state assets and properties unlawfully held by corrupt elements. Preliminary estimates indicate that state land worth approximately Rs5 trillion is under illegal possession and will be reclaimed.”

ISLAMABAD: Designated banks across Pakistan are open today for the receipt of Hajj applications from registered pilgrims, Pakistani state media reported.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of this, 129,210 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.

Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38–42 days) and a short package (20–25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236).

“Hajj applicants can submit their applications online or through banks as per their convenience,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported, citing a ministry spokesman.

“The State Bank has issued instructions to 14 banks in this regard.”

Pakistan has received over 58,000 applications from intending pilgrims for Hajj 2026, the religious affairs ministry said on Friday.

Individuals, registered on a first-come, first-served basis, can deposit the first installment of their Hajj dues by Saturday, Aug. 9, according to the ministry.

The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected starting in November this year, it said.

�������� had approved a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan this year as well, but a large portion of the private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims.

Private operators attributed the shortfall to technical issues, including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns.