Ahad Cheema was also fighting against corruption

ISLAMABAD: Ahad Cheema, the bone of contention between the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab government, was himself fighting corruption and dismissed as many as 168 officers and officials for corruption during his stint as DG Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

The Punjab government and the provincial bureaucracy credit Ahad for planning and successfully executing several mega projects for which he was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

A source closed to Cheema claimed that as LDA director general, he had championed institutional reforms. Ahad took a serious action against corrupt officials of the civic body. Those dismissed from service include directors, deputy directors, an assistant director and many other seniors on charges of corruption.

The Punjab government has expressed its resentment over the NAB’s recent extraordinary activities in Punjab and Ahad’s arrest on February 22, 2018. A reputed member of the civilian bureaucracy says he personally knows Ahad and recognizes him as “highly professional” and “upright” officer.

The official source said Ahad was being victimised adding that the NAB’s move was aimed at slowing down the pace of development work in Punjab.

“He is the pride of Pakistan civil service. Ahad is targeted to demoralise the Punjab bureaucracy so that the speed of projects slows down,” added the source.

The source claimed that the role of a business tycoon behind this move could not be ruled out, as Ahad had not only stopped some major development projects, but also lodged an FIR against the tycoon.

Ahad currently heads 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 helped in reducing loadshedding across the country.

After Ahad's arrest on February 22, the provincial bureaucracy and the government showed an unprecedented reaction.

The civil bureaucracy of Punjab observed pen-down-strike to record protest against the NAB and termed it “harassment and humiliation” of the civilian bureaucracy.

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 the NAB under Justice (R) Javed Iqbal. The bureaucracy has urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the arrest.

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

The bureau added that Ahad Cheema was arrested as per law after showing arrest warrants and that too with due respect. He was shifted to the NAB office.

The bureau said Ahad Cheema had been provided with 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 said Ahad Cheema was accused of corruption worth millions of rupees.