Islamabad
The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, NAB Chairman, here on Tuesday, says a press release.
The meeting decided to authorise two inquiries. First inquiry was authorised against Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani, ex-chief minister Balochistan. In this case, the accused allegedly misused his authority by illegally appointing three Naib Tehsildars in violation of prescribed rules/law.
Second inquiry was authorised against Khuram Iftikhar, CEO of M/s AMTEX Ltd, Shama Pvt Ltd & Amfort Pvt Ltd/ex-director of Bank of Punjab (BOP). In this case, the accused person is alleged for corruption, corrupt practices and misuse of authority by obtaining loans from the Bank of Punjab in the name of Amtex, Shama & Amfort group being Director of BOP in sheer violation of Sec 19(4) of the BOP Act 1989. Thus causing loss of Rs6,139 million to the national exchequer.
The EBM directed the DG NAB (R) to further inquire into the case against officials of Federal Employees Benevolent & Group Insurance Fund who in connivance with Sadiq Ali Khan, the then MD, despite poor financial health indicators of the companies, knowingly, intentionally and dishonestly invested an amount of Rs738 million in purchase of TFCs of Azgard-9 and its subsidiary Agritech Ltd in 2010. Thus caused huge loss to the Benevolent Fund. Report to be submitted in two weeks.
In an investigation against authorities of Prison Department & Home Department Quetta, Balochistan namely Akbar Durrani and Bashir Ahmed Bangalzai. The EBM decided not to take any further action in the matter for lack of incriminating evidence.
The meeting also decided to authorise two Complaint Verification (CV). First Complaint Verification was authorised against Pir Mazhar ul Haq, Former Minister Education, Sindh. In this case, the accused person is alleged for illegal/ghost appointments of teachers in Education Department, Sindh and
received bribe/gratification.
Second Complaint Verification was authorised against Syed Ali Mardan Shah, Minister for Population, Sindh. In this case, the accused person is alleged for misuse of authority and embezzlement of government funds.
The EBM also decided to close two inquiries, which include inquiry against Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir, ex-federal minister and inquiry against officers/officials of Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC) & others due to lack of incriminating evidence. The EBM also decided to close investigation against Ayaz Khan Mandokhail, CEO, M/S Ayaz Builders, Parliamentarian's Enclave Housing Scheme, Islamabad under section 9-C of NAO-1999. It also decided no further action on Complaint Verification against Dr. Sohail Naqvi, ex-executive director of Higher Education Commission (HEC) and others due to lack of incriminating evidence.
In the end, NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry reiterated his firm resolves for eradication of corruption and corrupt practices by adopting holistic and proactive approach through Enforcement besides Awareness and Prevention Strategy. He emphasised upon all staff member of NAB for making all out efforts for arrest of corrupt, proclaimed offenders and absconders by utilising all resources and taken to task as per law. He directed all officers/officials of NAB to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupts in accordance with laid down laws/SOPs, transparently and on merit.