NAB chief notices graft in Gwadar Industrial Estate

ISLAMABAD: Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (R) Javed Iqbal Saturday took notice after irregularities and embezzlement were found in Gwadar Industrial Estate Development Authority (GIEDA) in allotment of industrial and commercial plots, resulting in massive loss to national exchequer.

According to NAB, after examining of records, it was revealed that GIEDA put economic progress and prosperity of Balochistan at stake as it became an estate agency instead of industrial development authority. Commercial plots were allotted to relatives and favoured buyers, while real investors were ignored.

It was revealed while the examining the record of Gwadar Development Authority (GDA). The condition of being industrialist was not taken into accord, while files were sold which resulted into massive embezzlement.

Qualified industrialists and applicants meeting the standards of allotment were not given priority. Further investigations are underway and other government employees involved in the case will also be included into investigation.

Justice Javed Iqbal while taking notice of corruption and gross irregularities in the allotment of plots in Gwadar remarked that the NAB will treat with iron hands all those who are hindering economic development of Balochistan. He said the NAB is committed to bring people involved in corruption to the court of law.

The NAB chairman said real investors interested in investing in Gwadar have the right to invest in terms of rules and regulations. “We are ready to take all possible steps for removing corrupt elements hampering Gwadar’s economic growth,” he said.

In August, the NAB Balochistan chapter launched an inquiry into an alleged multi-billion scam featuring illegal land allotment in Gwadar after reports of private individuals being allotted 3,167 acres of state land worth Rs70 billion in the port city.

During initial inquiry, it was revealed that certain individuals in connivance with influential people and revenue authorities were transferred about 12,000 acres of land. After the scam was exposed, the land was restored in favour of the government.