The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reported recovery of state assets worth Rs2.45 trillion during the second quarter of 2026, alongside plans to introduce artificial intelligence based systems for investigations and accountability. The recoveries during the quarter have taken NAB total recovery figure for the first six months of the year to Rs5.41 trillion, which the bureau described as its highest six-month recovery figure. A major portion of the recovered assets consisted of state land across Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), with more than 1,078,283 acres reclaimed during the period. Alongside its recovery figures, NAB has been transitioning its internal operations toward digital systems, including a fully paperless E-Office environment and an AI based E-Investigation framework that is expected to use machine learning and automated analysis as part of the investigation process.
NAB Sukkur recorded the largest recovery during the second quarter, reclaiming 853,678 acres of land valued at approximately Rs1.01 trillion in coordination with the Sindh Board of Revenue and the provincial forests department. The recovered land was associated with the National Highway Authority as well as forests and irrigation departments. NAB Balochistan recovered another 209,544 acres of forest land valued at Rs604.64 billion, including land associated with Hingol National Park and the Gwadar Industrial Estate Development Authority. In Karachi, NAB recovered 11,422 acres of allegedly illegally allotted state land with a reported value of Rs467.11 billion, while NAB Lahore retrieved 1,909 acres valued at Rs288.29 billion related to the Punjab Cooperative Board for Liquidation and other state land. NAB Islamabad and Rawalpindi recovered 810 acres of Capital Development Authority amenity land worth Rs66.63 billion, while NAB Multan recovered 920 acres of state land valued at Rs2.76 billion.
The bureau is also incorporating artificial intelligence into its planned investigation framework as part of a wider shift toward technology supported accountability processes. According to NAB, the AI based E-Investigation system will use machine learning to identify patterns, prioritize high-risk cases and accelerate investigative work. The proposed system will also support the analysis of documentary and oral evidence, with the objective of reducing human discretion and producing investigations based more heavily on available evidence. NAB has already completed its transition to an E-Office system, replacing paper based processes with automated digital workflows. The bureau said the move toward AI supported investigations is intended to improve the way cases are assessed and handled while creating a more technology driven structure for its accountability activities. The development places artificial intelligence alongside digital administration as part of NAB ongoing changes to its operational systems.
Beyond land and state asset recoveries, NAB said more than 24,365 people affected by housing and financial fraud cases were compensated through the return of money and assets valued at Rs42.30 billion. The bureau also reported total recoveries of Rs16.94 trillion between March 2023 and June 2026. The latest figures follow its earlier annual recovery claims for 2025, when NAB reported recoveries exceeding Rs6.2 trillion, including the retrieval of approximately 2.98 million acres of encroached state and forest land. As the bureau expands its use of digital systems, the Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy has also been fully operationalised as a centre for workforce training. NAB is now positioning AI based investigation tools, automated office processes and specialised training as components of its broader administrative and accountability reforms.
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