Kohistan scam: Accused again approaches NAB for plea bargain

PESHAWAR: The prime suspect in the multi-billion rupees Kohistan scandal has once again submitted a plea bargain application for Rs3.45 billion to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

According to NAB sources, the main suspect, Ayub, had previously submitted a plea bargain request but it was declined due to the less amount offered so far.

Sources revealed that a transaction of Rs3.45 billion had been made from the suspect’s account at the National Bank’s Dasu branch.

The Accountability Court in Peshawar had also directed NAB to proceed with the plea bargain process, and the accused has agreed to pay the amount in three installments. It was learnt the NAB had accepted this payment plan.

It is expected that NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would soon approve the new plea bargain application submitted by the suspect.

Meanwhile, the special accountability court in Peshawar has handed over Ayub to NAB on a seven-day physical remand. The suspect was presented before the court the previous day.

During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor informed the court that the NAB was investigating the Kohistan mega-corruption case, and Ayub, a key suspect, was taken into custody as part of the probe.

The prosecutor said that the suspect’s bail application had already been dismissed by the court, and further investigation from the suspect was necessary. Upon NAB’s request, the court granted a seven-day physical remand for further interrogation.