COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTI-CORRUPTION ESTABLISHMENT (ACE) AND THE NATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY BUREAU (NAB): JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES AND ANTI-CORRUPTION MECHANISMS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Two notable agencies in Pakistan fighting corruption are the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), though they differ in terms of areas, jurisdiction, and mechanism of operation. The primary objective of the Anti-Corruption departments is to operate at the provincial level and to combat low to mid-level corruption in the public sector, particularly among government employees and local institutions. On the other hand, NAB is more effective and operates at the federal level, dealing with high-profile cases, including politicians, bureaucrats, and large-scale financial fraud. NAB is governed by its own rules, the NAB Ordinance 1999, headquartered by the power to plea bargain, arrest without warrant, and ACE is governed by provincial anti-corruption legislation and with less power. Both aim to promote transparency and accountability, with NAB being more central and influential, and ACE more localistic. The distinction between the two is vital so as to evaluate the multi-tiered approach taken by Pakistan against corruption and institutional accountability.