NAB initiates probe against sons of political party head

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) started investigation against two sons of head of a political party for suspicious transactions in their bank accounts.

The NAB received a Suspicious Transition Report (STR) under 31-D of NAO from Financial Monitoring Unit of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) that an individual, Syed Mehmood Shah, made suspicious transaction in the bank accounts of two sons of head of a political party and on getting the report the NAB Executive Board started the inquiry.

The NAB Executive Board also approved investigation against former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf who kept the portfolio of minster for information technology during his tenure as prime minister for handing over of International Clearing House (ICH) to PTCL without completing codal formalities, which caused a loss of Rs1 billion a month to the national exchequer.

While other co-accused in this case were ex-secretary Ministry of Information Technology Farooq Awan and PTCL, PTA and others in the matter of ICH. The executive board was held here Friday under NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.

The executive board also authorised investigation against officers/officials of Ministry of Special Initiatives and others. In this case, the accused persons including ex-federal minister Lal Khan, who has now died, were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices in illegal award of tender of Clean Drinking Water for All (CDWA) by officers/officials of Ministry of Special Initiatives and caused a loss of over Rs15 billion to the national exchequer.

After the death of ex-federal minister Lal Khan, now the investigations will be launched against the officials of the Ministry of Special Initiatives. Third investigation was authorised against management of NTDC, TIBL and others as in this case, the accused persons were accused of illegal investment made by NTDC with Trust Investment Bank to the tune of Rs100 million principle amount and Rs30 million mark-up, caused a loss of Rs130 million to NTDC.

Fourth investigations was authorised against officers/officials of KMC, Anti-Encroachment Department, Parking Department of KMC and Management of Hockey Association West and against the hospital of PPP Leader Dr Asim Hussain -- management of M/s Ziauddin Hospital and others.

In this case, already referred by Sindh High Court, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority for illegally use of amenity plot No ST-14, North Nazimabad Karachi for commercial use by management of M/S Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi in connivance with officers of KMC, SBCA, KDA and management of Hockey Association West, causing a loss of Rs150 million to the national exchequer.

Fifth investigation was authorised against officers/officials of MEPCO, Trust Investment Bank Ltd (TIBL) Multan and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misappropriation and misuse of authority etc that caused a loss of Rs289.481 million to the national exchequer.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) decided to authorise inquiries as first inquiry was  authorised against Umar Malik S/o Malik Azhar Hussain and others as in this case, the State Bank of Pakistan through FMU referred the case to NAB as Suspicious Transition Report (STR) under 31-D of NAO.

Another inquiry was authorised against Feroze P Bhandara and Sheraz Feroze Bhandara and others as in this case, the State Bank of Pakistan through FMU referred the case to NAB as Suspicious Transition Report (STR) under 31-D of NAO.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) decided to close three inquiries pertaining to inquiry against sponsors of Rafi Peer Theater Workshop (RPTW) and Pakistan Children’s Television (PCTV), inquiry against KPT officials and others and inquiry against Dr Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, ex-MPA due to lack of incriminating evidence.

On the conclusion of the meeting, NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, said that NAB was committed to eradicate corruption by adopting zero tolerance policy for corruption-free Pakistan as corruption affected country just like cancer.

He directed all the NAB officers to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verification, inquiries and investigations against the corrupt in accordance with law, transparently and on merit.