Islamabad
The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), chaired by NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, has re-authorised three inquiries, says a press release.
The first inquiry re-authorised is against Asif Hashmi, ex-chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Management of ETPB and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for illegal appointments made in ETPB in violations of rules, misuse of authority by illegally leasing/renting ETPB property and entering into illegal deal regarding exchange of land with DHA, Lahore.
Second is against Mian Masood Akhtar, former Superintending Engineer, Pak-PWD, Rana Saleem Akhtar, former XEN, Chaudhry Hassan Akhtar, former XEN, Pervez Iqbal Mehmood, former Assistant XEN and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for embezzlement of Rs105 million in execution of construction work in NA-81 Faisalabad.
Third inquiry is against Imtiaz Rahim, ex-MD, PECO, Lahore, Liaquat Muhammad, ex-executive director Pakistan Engineering Company (PECO), Lahore and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for corruption, corrupt practices, misuse of authority and embezzlement of approximately Rs127 million to national exchequer.
The EBM authorised two investigations. First against Muhammad Tariq Awan, ex-secretary Worker Welfare Board (WWB), Government of KPK and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices in the procurement of equipments for Workers Welfare Board, Government of KPK causing loss of approximately Rs1,177 million to the national exchequer. Second investigation is authorised against Ilyas Lashari, chief engineer and Khuda Bakhas, SDO, B&R, Department, Baluchistan and others. In this case, the Voluntary Return request of the contractor for depositing Rs4.058 million in national exchequer was accepted while investigation against accused Ilyas Lashari, chief engineer and Khuda Bakhas, SDO, B&R,
Department, Baluchistan and others were approved for misuse of authority.
The Board also authorised two inquiries. First against Badar Jamil, secretary Minorities Affairs, Government of Sindh for suspicious transactions. In this case, the accused person was alleged for receiving high volume of funds in his account through cash. Second against Farooq Shaheen Gilani (BS-20) and other officers/officials of Culture, Tourism & Archives Department, Government of Baluchistan. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and illegal appointments were made without any lawful authority.
The Board authorised two complaint verifications. First against Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, ex-federal minister for communications and Mrs. Asma Alamgir, ex-MNA. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income. Second against the ex-management of ZTBL. In this case, the accused persons are alleged for misuse of authority by making more than 1,000 illegal appointments in ZTBL in violation of rules.
The Board decided to close a Complaint Verification (CV) against Olas Khan, ex-DG Water Management, Agriculture Department, Government of KPK due to lack of incriminating evidence. The Board also decided to close an inquiry against Chowdhry Muhammad Ali, Special Secretary to Chief Minister Sindh and others due to lack of incriminating evidence.
The Executive Board decided that the application of Voluntary Return (VR) of Rs34 million by Maaza Pakistan Company (Pvt) Ltd may be accepted after permission from the concerned Accountability Court.
In the end, the NAB chairman said NAB is committed to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices from the country through good governance. He directed all the concerned Wings of NAB that all the complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations be conducted according to NAB SOPs transparently in accordance with law on merit.