NAB summons ex-GDA chief Ehsan Mani

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has extended the scope of corruption inquiry in the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and summoned former GDA chairman Ehsan Mani in the coming week.

According to NAB sources, serious allegations of corruption were made against Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s friend and ex-chairman GDA, on which an inquiry was initiated against him. As a result of the initial inquiry, evidence of large-scale corruption has been allegedly found in leasing of rest houses during Ehsan Mani’s tenure.

A NAB official told The News that the 99-year lease of Shangrila Hotel was given below the market value, causing a huge loss to the national exchequer. During the tenure of Ehsan Mani, the government exchequer had to face heavy losses because of illegal regularization of unlawful possession of 29 properties.

However, sources close to Ehsan Mani told this correspondent that the allegations are baseless and there is no truth in the charges. Mani has done all the affairs under the rules and regulations during the tenure and there is no violation of law.