Rs40bn KP corruption scandal: Senior govt official, PTI leader under investigation

ISLAMABAD: A senior officeholder of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government and a senior PTI leader are under investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Rs40 billion mega corruption scandal, disclosed a well-informed source.

The source said NAB has detected that two large transactions were made from the bank accounts connected to key political figures of PTI. Both the payments were made to buy expensive properties, he said.

In a background discussion, a source in the federal capital revealed to The News on condition of anonymity two transactions of multimillion rupees were made from KP’s treasury accounts to two senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. “One of the accounts belongs to the family of a top officeholder in KP government”, said the source.

He said one property was purchased from a senior PTI leader belonging to Hazara region. Payment for another property was located in a major city of southern KP which was made from another bank account linked to this mega fraud.

“Reportedly, this particular property is occupied by the family of an important public officeholder of KP belonging to PTI,” said the source.

The News was further told these two payments were made from the accounts to which “stolen money” was shifted from KP treasury accounts. The source said NAB is investigating all aspects of this scandal which has reportedly rocked the PTI government in KP.

The News contacted Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser to KPK Chief Minister, to get his view on the matter. Barrister Saif said, “If any corruption allegations or financial wrongdoings have been brought forward, regardless of individuals or their political affiliation — due process must take its course”.

The CM adviser clarified, “This matter has no connection to the current provincial government. The alleged irregularities pertain to the period of caretaker administration”. He said the issue has already been taken up by provincial assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The provincial Anti-Corruption Department is also conducting an inquiry, he added.

The Adviser to KP CM said, “We welcome NAB action in Upper Kohistan case and consider it a positive step that some recoveries have been made”.

He said the provincial government would extend its full support to the NAB in the investigation and ensure all required documents are provided on a priority basis. “Anyone found involved — individuals or institutions — must face strictest legal consequences”, he said.

The CM adviser said provincial cabinet has decided to form a cabinet committee to oversee the government’s internal investigation to ensure transparency and accountability at the highest level.

The committee will be led by chief minister himself and will include relevant cabinet members and MPAs. “All findings will be made public, and the government is committed to taking exemplary action against all those responsible”, said Barrister Saif.