NAB board approves new references, closure of inquiries

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday approved investigation against Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Afzal Janjua, Brigadier (retd) Iftikhar Mehdi, ex-secretary finance Balochistan Mehfooz Ali Khan, directors of M/s Allahhoo Holding Ltd and United Insurance Company of Pakistan Limited and officials of Balochistan government for alleged misuse of authority and embezzlement of govt funds causing a loss of Rs243.640 million to the national exchequer.

During the meeting chaired by Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, the board gave approval for filing references and initiating investigations and inquires. The board approved the filing of corruption references against former director Building Control Section of CDA Khalil Ahmed, deputy directors general Building Control Section Ghulam Murtaza Malik and Muhammad Ammar Idrees, former assistant director Building Control Section of CDA Khadim Hussein and owner of Safa Gold Mall, F-7, Islamabad, Rana Abdul Qayyum for causing losses to the national kitty by illegally approving construction of additional stories at Safa Gold Mall.

The board approved another corruption reference against former MD Water and Sanitation Agency Hamid Latif Rana and others for amassing assets beyond known sources of income inflicting Rs337 million loss on the national exchequer.

Approval was also given for filing a reference against ex-DG Galiyat Development Authorityand other officials for alleged illegal allotment of GDA land causing a loss of Rs90 million to the national exchequer.

The board also approved an inquiry against the National Highway Authority (NHA) management and others for allegedly illegally awarding the contract of Karachi-Lahore Motorway Section-111-Abdul Hakeem (230 Km) to M/s China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation causing a loss of Rs14 billion to the national exchequer.

Another inquiry was approved against Hafeezur Rehman and Syed Qasim Shah for their alleged involvement in corruption. The board also approved an inquiry against the PML-N ex-MNAs Muddasar Qayum Nehra and Azhar Qayum Nehra and others for allegedly accumulating the assets beyond known source of income.

The board approved an inquiry against the officers/officials of Sarhad Development Authority for causing a huge loss to the state kitty by illegally allowing establishment of an educational institute at the Industrial Estate/Zone, Hayatabad causing loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.

An inquiry was also approved against deputy manager SS&T Division SEPCO Sukkur Nazir Ahmed Soomro for allegedly accumulating assets beyond known source of income.

The board approved the closure of inquiries against the officers and officials of Pakistan Petroleum Limited, AKD Real Estate and directors and owners of M/s Lucky Cement Factory. The board also approved closure of an inquiry against the directors and owners of Younas Brothers.

Another inquiry against the officers/officials and others of Land Utilization Department, Board of Revenue, Sindh and officers/officials of Haripur University would also be closed. Addressing the meeting, Justice (R) Javed Iqbal said corruption was the mother of all ills, which must be exterminated root and branch.

He asked the NAB officers to consider elimination of corruption as their national responsibility and utilise all their energies for ensuring a corruption-free Pakistan. He directed the NAB officers to conclude verifications, inquiries and investigations within the prescribed time frame. Justice Javed said the NAB strictly adhered to the policy of 'Accountability for All'. “The affiliation of NAB is with the country and its people,” he said.