NAB closes 21 mega corruption cases in three years

ISLAMABAD: Out of 179 mega corruption cases of NAB, almost 21 inquiries and investigations have been closed and the beneficiaries amongst others include Nawaz Sharif, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Younis Babib, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Husain Haqqani.

Interestingly, the probe against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and others into alleged illegal appointments in the FIA, has been closed by the Bureau after the arrival of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. The investigation in this case was closed on December 27, 2017.

The PML-N is generally complaining that it has become the target of NAB during the recent months and after the arrival of the incumbent chairman. The investigation against Nawaz Sharif in this case was authorised in December 1999 and it took almost 18 years to conclude the probe.

Just days before the arrival of the incumbent chairman, inquiry against ex-prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, his then principal secretary, the-then secretary housing, etc., for misuse of authority in release of funds for dual road from Sohawa to Chakwal, and Mandra to Gujar Khan was closed on October 4, 2017. The inquiry directly was authorised in early 2013.

NAB’s official information, available on its website, shows that the inquiry against Younus Habib in the HBL Willful Loan Default case involving Rs3 billion was closed following direct recovery by the bank. Investigation against Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, KP’s ex-chief minister and former interior minister for allegedly accumulating assets beyond known sources was closed on August 5, 2015.

Investigation against Husain Haqqani, ex-secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and others for alleged misuse of authority in unlawful award of licences to three private companies for establishing FM radio station in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad was closed on May 5, 2016.

Inquiry against Firdous Ashiq Awan, ex-minister, into alleged misuse of authority and embezzlement in movable property was closed on Jan 17, 2017. Inquiry against officers of Rawalpindi Development Authority and others into alleged misuse of authority in irregular award of elevator and PSD Metro Bus Project, Rawalpindi was also closed on Dec 7, 2016.

According to the NAB information, other inquiries/investigations which have also been closed including inquiry against Ghazi Akhter Khan and others of M/s Tandlianwala Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd for alleged suspicious transactions of Rs700 million -- inquiry closed on Oct 4, 2017; inquiry against Ahmad Waheed Malik into Willful Loan Default of Rs209 million; Inquiry against M/s Divine Developers (Pvt) Ltd Lahore into Willful Loan Default of Rs505 million through its directors/mortgagors and others -- inquiry was closed on June 30, 2017; inquiry against management of OGDC Employees Cooperative Housing Society, M/s Faizan (Pvt) Ltd & others for alleged embezzlement/fraudulent purchase of land involving Rs600 million -- inquiry was closed on Oct 30, 2015; inquiry against officials of CDA, Islamabad and others into alleged illegal allotment of plots in Diplomatic Enclaves, Islamabad -- inquiry was closed on Sept 9, 2016; inquiry against Javed Nadeem Akram, Management of Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS) & others into alleged embezzlement of society’s funds, illegal plotting and allotment of plots -- inquiry was closed on Jan 21, 2016; inquiry against management of National Assembly Secretariat Cooperative Housing Society (NASECHS) & others into alleged violation of approved master plan and illegal allotment of land -- inquiry was closed on Jan 26, 2017; inquiry against management of Civilian Employees Cooperative Housing Scheme (Soan Garden Phase-II) & others for allegedly cheating public at large in the garb of Housing society -- case completed at NAB’s end on April 11, 2016; inquiry against officers of CDA and others for alleged illegal allotment of cinema plot No. 29, G-9 Markaz Islamabad -- inquiry was closed on June 14, 2017; inquiry against management of Al-Falah Cooperative Housing Society, Lahore and others for alleged misuse of authority, corruption and corrupt practices into the affairs of housing society -- inquiry was closed on August 28, 2015; inquiry against authorities of Industries & Commerce Department, Quetta and others into alleged misuse of authority -- inquiry was closed on Sept 13, 2017; inquiry against Dr Sohail Shahzad, acting VC Hazara University into alleged misuse of authority in appointments -- inquiry was closed on March 2, 2016; inquiry against Asif Javed, Director NIT and others into alleged sale of shares of PECO by NIT was closed on August 31, 2017.

In 2015, the NAB produced before the Supreme Court the list of a total of 179 mega corruption cases. The SC had directed NAB to expeditiously finalise these 179 mega cases. These cases included 81 inquiries out of which 39 inquiries have since been upgraded into investigations, six inquiries have been culminated into Voluntary Return, one inquiry merged into ongoing Reference and 17 closed/merged/referred to concerned department on merit. After up-gradation of 39 inquiries into investigation, initial figure of 52 investigations (included in 179 mega corruption cases) becomes 87. Out of these investigations, 55 references have been filed, four investigations completed through plea bargain, whereas four investigations were closed down on merit.

In 2015, information was provided to the SC, out of these 179 mega corruption cases a total of 46 references were under trial before the Accountability Courts. Later, upon completion of investigation further 60 references were filed, making total of 106 references. Out of these 106 references, five cases have been decided so far through conviction of accused.