NAB launches probe against Balochistan’s ex-minister in Rs88.77m scam

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched investigation against former Balochistan minister for excise and taxation for assets beyond known sources of income that caused a loss of Rs88.77 million to the national exchequer.

The NAB Board held its meeting with the chair of its Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry here at NAB Headquarters. The Board launched probe against Dr Shaukat Ali Bangash and others alleged for cheating public at large and defrauding overseas Pakistanis of Rs560 million. It re-authorised inquiry against officers/ officials of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, and others. In this case, accused persons were alleged for embezzlement, misappropriation of University funds allocated for construction projects and misuse of authority and thus caused a loss of Rs4 billion to the national exchequer.

The NAB Executive Board also decided to file one corruption reference against Riaz Qadeer Butt, CEO, M/s Mecca Sugar Mills (Pvt) Ltd and others. The accused persons were alleged for willful failure to supply the requisite quantity of sugar to the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan and misappropriated the advance amount and caused a huge loss to the national exchequer.

Another investigation was authoried against Muhammad Tariq Ali, Owner of Data Lubricants and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for willful loan default of Rs52.942 million referred by State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D of NAO.

Fourth Investigation was authorised against officers/officials of Pepco/Pesco, owner of Al-Moiz Sugar Mills, DI Khan, and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and illegal sale and purchase of electricity.

The Executive Board also decided to authorise five inquiries as first inquiry was authorised against Ghulam Shabbir Sheikh, ex-Acting IGP, Sindh Police, Karachi.  In this case, the accused person is alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income, caused a loss of Rs500 million to the national exchequer.

Second inquiry was authorised against officers/officials of the University of Haripur. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for embezzlement of funds through illegal appointments. Third inquiry was authorised against Ghulam Qadir Dharejo, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Zahid Abbassi, DC Ghotki and others.

 In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority by executing a fake lease deed of a district council plot measuring 40 Kanals, causing Rs563 million loss to the national exchequer.

Fourth inquiry was authorised against officers/officials of Pak Kor Bio Organic Company, Multan, and Apna Micro Finance Bank (Sahiwal branch) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for criminal breach of trust as a merchant causing a loss of Rs18.180 million to the public at large.

Fifth inquiry was authorised against Nasir Mehmood Abbassi. In this case, the accused person is alleged for suspicious transaction report (STR) referred by the State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D of NAO.

The NAB Board meeting approved Plea Bargain requests of Rs5,623,616 in a case against officers/officials of PWD, Ismail Construction Company and others. The Board decided to close three inquiries as first inquiryagainst owner/management of Al-Madina Garden Housing Society, Pattoki, Kasur, second inquiry against Dr Muhammad Qaisar, Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi, and third inquiry against M/s Silver Line Spinning Mills (Pvt) Ltd An investigation against Goharullah & others of Fateh Textile Mills due to lack of incrementing evidence was also closed.

At the end, NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said that NAB is committed to eradicating corruption by adopting Zero Tolerance Policy. He directed all officers/officials to put in their best efforts in conducting complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupt in accordance with law, transparently and on merit.