NAB arrests ex-secretary, brother in illegal assets case

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday arrested Zakiullah, a former secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Department, along with his brother Zafarullah Khan, former assistant inspector general (AIG) traffic police,for allegedly accumulating illegal assets worth Rs150 million.

A NAB official told The News that they were arrested in a midnight raid after the NAB chairman issued their arrest warrant in the case. The official said that one brother was arrested from Motorway and the other from his house in Peshawar. 

Also, the NAB KP on Friday got 10-day physical remand of the accused from the accountability court. As per the NAB communiqué, the matter was brought into the notice of the NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities.

Taking cognisance of the matter, it said an inquiry was authorised to ascertain the real facts and collect requisite evidence regarding moveable and immoveable properties owned, controlled and possessed by the accused in their name and in the name of their dependents.

During the inquiry, the NAB revealed that the accused Zakiullah, ex-secretary Housing Department, remained at key portfolios, including member Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, besides secretary housing.

The bureau said that Zafarullah, ex-AIG Traffic Police, brother of Zakiullah, also remained in the government service and held various portfolios. During their tenure in the government, both the accused brothers made assets worth millions of rupees.

The NAB also released the list of their properties including a bungalow in Abbottabad Cantonment, two precious bungalows at Shami Road in Peshawar Cantonment, house at Shadman Colony at Warsak Road in Peshawar, bungalow at Kakul Road in Abbottabad, bungalow at DHA Islamabad, two plots in Regi Model Town, Peshawar, precious plot at Abbottabad Cantonment, plot at Hayatabad, Peshawar, plot in DHA, Islamabad, XLI Corolla and Suzuki Cultus.  

Zakiullah was previously arrested by the NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for his involvement in multi-million scam of MauzaDarwazaNathiagali, Abbottabad, and an inquiry is being pursued.