Ahad case to discredit NAB chief or Punjab CM

ISLAMABAD: As the premier civil service group--Pakistan Administrative Service--has put its weight behind their colleague and the latest NAB’s detainee Ahad Cheema in Punjab, this case has squarely put into test the credibility of the Punjab chief minister as well as NAB chairman’s.

Ahad’s case will discredit one of the two--Shahbaz Sharif or Justice (R) Javed Iqbal. Seen as an upright and honest officer by his colleagues, Ahad Cheema has been the major actor behind Shahbaz Sharif’s “Punjab speed”.

However, NAB not only sees him as an alleged corrupt but Ahad is the first high profile arrest from Punjab by the Bureau. NAB is of the view that this arrest was required by NAB following serious corruption allegations against Ahad, and owing to his alleged role in the corrupt practices. Ahad Cheema is accused of corruption worth millions of rupees.

While the Punjab government shows its resentment over the recent NAB’s extraordinary activities in Punjab and also appeared perturbed over Ahad’s arrest, a reputed member of the civilian bureaucracy says that he personally knows Ahad and recognises him as “highly professional” and “upright” officer.

“He is being victimised,” the official source said, speculating that NAB’s move is aimed at slowing down the Punjab speed. “He is pride of Pakistan civil service,” the official source said, adding, “Ahad is targeted to demoralise the Punjab bureaucracy so that speed of projects slows down.” There are some who also see the alleged role of a business tycoon in targeting Ahad, who is said to have not only stopped some major land development projects of the tycoon but also lodged FIRs against him.

The Punjab government and the provincial bureaucracy credit Ahad for planning and successfully executing several mega projects for which, he was also awarded Tamgha- e- Imtiaz. As LDA director general, these sources claim, he has championed institutional reforms, removed more than 50 officials besides contributing immensely to infrastructural development of Lahore.

Presently, Ahad is heading the Quaid-i-Azam Thermal Company after having set up in record time 1200MW power Bikhi plant at the cheapest price. This has contributed to the national grid and has helped in reducing loadshedding across the country.

Following his arrest, the Punjab bureaucracy showed unprecedented reaction and expressed its serious concern over the “harassment and humiliation” being mete out to the officer. The Punjab government, as well as, the provincial bureaucracy sees the NAB action as brazen misuse of authority and gross abuse of discretion for “extraneous considerations” by NAB under Justice (R) Javed Iqbal. The bureaucracy has demanded of the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the arrest.

The NAB, however, stands by its action. In its official response to the bureaucracy’s uproar over the arrest, NAB on Thursday said, “The arrest of Ahad Cheema, former LDA DG, was not the breach of basic human or constitutional rights as the law authorises NAB to inquire, investigate and collect evidence of corruption charges against anyone without any discrimination.”

NAB added that Ahad Cheema had been apprehended as per law after showing arrest warrants that too with due respect and then he was shifted to the NAB office. The Bureau said Ahad Cheema had been provided medicine, food and other essential items as per law. “It may be kept in mind that the honourable court can only judge the veracity of corruption accusations or a person is guilty or innocent,” the NAB release said, adding, “But apparently, Ahad's arrest was required due to NAB’s serious allegations of corruption against him and his role in the corrupt practices.” It alleged that Ahad Cheema is accused of corruption worth millions of rupees.

On the other side, the Punjab cabinet on Friday met under the chief minister to lend its support to Ahad Cheema and show disapproval to NAB’s action. This situation has brought the Punjab government and NAB face to face. NAB is now under tremendous burden to prove the officer corrupt, which if happens will be a serious jolt to Shahbaz Sharif and his government. Otherwise, NAB and its chairman will be seriously discredited.

Interestingly, on Friday PTI Chief Imran Khan took to social media to denounce the protest from members of the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) over Cheema's arrest. In a tweet, he said, “This union of the corrupt under the leadership of Godfather SS [Shehbaz Sharif] believes they are above the law. If they are innocent why should they fear accountability?"