ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said Thursday the bureaucracy's role in Pakistan's developmental projects was restricted due to a fear of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Addressing a gathering of civil servants, the PM said the aim behind the NAB Amendment Ordinance 2019 was to save the bureaucracy from the anti-graft watchdog's grasp over erroneous regulations. It was a difficult decision, he added.

The premier noted that the amendment was introduced to provide relief to bureaucrats and businesspersons. “I was informed that several senior bureaucrats did not want to indulge in mega [developmental] projects as they were afraid that the NAB might start an inquiry against them,” he said.

Highlighting that there had been a hue and cry over the ordinance without a detailed analysis of the amendment, he said reforms had to be introduced and the government chose to do so to help the civil servants work without the NAB's fear.

"Besides, we have the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] to hold them accountable," he added.

Read more: PM Imran Khan says 2020 will be year for public relief

Referring to the New Pakistan Housing Programme, the PM said the project's aim to build 50,000 houses could not move forward without the bureaucrats' help and support.

However, he stressed that any tax evasion cases were to be dealt by the NAB and not the FIA. "In democracy, we need political consultation and consensus and that is the only way to move forward.

“I have informed the NAB chief as well that we have come out of a very difficult time and the economy is finally stable,” he said.

Also read: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince leaves after meeting PM Imran

Talking about moving ahead, he said Pakistan will move forward once there was investment in the country. “How will we get investment? By industrialisation, construction, and the 40 other industries that will work hand in hand with the latter.”

While pointing out how the country’s economy was now stable, the PM also stressed that Pakistan was under a lot of debt. "Since 2008, the country has procured a loan of Rs24 trillion."