The Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy (PACA), the specialized training wing of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) commenced the first Capacity Building Course (CBC-I) and an Intensive Mock Trial under its Annual Training Plan, 2026 which was inaugurated by the Worthy Chairman NAB, Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed. This program was designed to help investigators and prosecutors better understand modern money laundering trends and laws. It aimed to give these professionals the tools and legal techniques they need to fight financial crimes effectively.
The training sessions featured a series of high-level briefings from leading experts in the field.
Deputy Chairman NAB, Mr. Sohail Nasir, provided a comprehensive examination of the Bureau’s revised Standard Operating Procedures for money laundering cases, focusing on the integration of robust evidence collection with streamlined inter-agency protocols.
This was complemented by an in-depth session from Dr. Ehsan Sadiq, Director General of the National AML/CFT Authority, who analyzed Pakistan’s ongoing compliance journey with FATF standards and the vital importance of implementing risk-based approaches in corporate governance.
Technical expertise was further expanded by Mr. Muhammad Tahir, Director General of the Special Investigation Division, who conducted a detailed session on the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2010. His presentation focused on the evolving methodologies of asset tracing and the prosecution of illicit enrichment.
Additionally, Ms. Noor us Sahar, Deputy Director of the Financial Monitoring Unit, shared critical insights into the role of financial intelligence and the national risk assessment framework in identifying suspicious transactions.
The program concluded with a practical, outcome-driven workshop titled “Mock Trial of Leading NAB Money Laundering Cases,” facilitated by Additional Director Mr. Mohsin Ali Khan. This courtroom simulation provided participants with hands-on experience in the legal intricacies of trial proceedings, ranging from the submission of remand applications to the complex process of witness examination and property attachment. By simulating the transition from investigation to adjudication, the exercise significantly bolstered the professional competencies of the attending officers.
Addressing the participants of the training course, the Worthy Chairman NAB Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed underscored the Government of Pakistan’s resolute stance against financial crimes and the critical necessity of reinforcing institutional frameworks to ensure national economic security.
The Chairman described PACA as the vanguard of national accountability, emphasizing that the complexities of modern governance demand a workforce that is not only skilled in traditional investigation but also proficient in international best practices. He highlighted that the 2026 training cycle is specifically designed to foster greater inter-agency coordination and to equip officers with the sophisticated tools required to meet emerging global challenges in the fight against corruption.
Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah, Prosecutor General of Accountability (PGA), in his address commended the initiative, noting that such structured and practical training is essential for sustaining the professional growth of the Bureau. He emphasized that the Academy’s focus on real-world simulations ensures that NAB remains a premier platform for excellence, contributing directly to the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance across the country.
Meanwhile, the Director General PACA, Mr. Ghulam Safdar Shah, outlined the Academy’s vision for the current year in his address. He reaffirmed PACA’s dedication to providing cutting-edge instruction in financial investigations, forensic analysis, and academic research. Mr. Shah pointed out that the current curriculum is strictly aligned with global standards, particularly those concerning Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), ensuring that Pakistan’s investigative body remains a highly effective force within the international accountability landscape.
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