NAB decides to file three references in accountability courts

Islamabad
The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the chairmanship of NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry here Tuesday, says a press release.
The Executive Board Meeting decided to file three references in the respective Accountability Courts. First reference approved was against Imran Ghani, owner/proprietor of M/s Usman Textile Mill, Syed Naeem Akhtar, Deputy Collector Sales Tax Department, Noorullah Samejo, Deputy Superintendent Sale Tax Department, Muhammad Ajaib, Account Opening Officer of Askari Commercial Bank Karachi and Imtiaz Ahmed Dev, former additional collector Sales Tax Department. In this case, the accused Usman Ghani in connivance with the officials of Sales Tax Collectorate obtained illegal and fraudulent Sales Tax refund amounting to Rs48.321 million.
Second reference approved was against Noor Muhammad, owner/proprietor of M/s Noor Textile Mills and officers/officials of Sales Tax Department. In this case, the accused Noor Muhammad in connivance with the officials of Sales Tax Collectorate obtained illegal and fraudulent Sales Tax refund amounting to Rs49.27 million.
Third reference approved was against Dr. Shafi Muhammad Zehri, ex-secretary Health Balochistan, Dr. Amjad Ansari, ex-deputy chief planning officer, Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Kayani, ex-additional director, and Dr. Akhtar Hameed, Contractor. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices causing a loss of Rs14 million in the purchase of MRI machine for Bolan Medical College, Quetta, Balochistan. It was also decided to file reference under 31-A against the accused Dr. Akhtar Hameed, Contractor, who is absconding abroad.
The EBM allowed NAB Lahore four weeks to further examine the case against Ch. Muhammad Qasim, Chief Executive/Director of M/s Chaudhry Group of Industries.
In a case against officer/officials of National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), DISCO & others, the EBM decided to further examine the case and put up report within two weeks time. In this case, the accused persons in connivance with the transformer manufacturing industry caused allegedly loss of Rs13,270 million to national exchequer by introducing a forged/fake amendment No.5 in the name of low loss distribution transformers, based on fake date/figures and there by extended undue benefits to the transformer manufacturers at the cost of national exchequer and PPRA rules were not followed in tender process.
The EBM decided to approve Voluntary Return (VR) option in a case against Samar Abbas Jaffri, ex-SVP/regional chief Karachi South and others, regarding embezzlement/misappropriation of funds in NBP Model Branch, Clifton, for an amount of Rs14.50 million. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misappropriation/embezzlement, criminal breach of trust by banker and abetment.
The Executive Board Meeting decided to authorise three inquiries. First inquiry was authorised against Muhammad Asim Kurd, ex-minister for finance Balochistan, sitting MPA, and Bilal Qasim, with respect of suspicious transaction of Rs37.6 million from which Rs32.5 million were encashed. Second against M/s Kohinoor Flour Mills (KASB Bank Ltd Case) — SBP Reference under Section 31-D loan default principal amount (Rs53.566 million) ref. amount (Rs54.306 million). Third inquiry was authorised against M/s Rose Associates and Chaudhry Muhammad Arif of Rs308.861 million of Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited SPAICO. In this case the accused persons were alleged for willful loan default.
EBM authorised two Complaint Verifications. First against Dr. Josphen Wilson, ex-acting chairman Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and presently Member CCP. In this case, the accused person made illegal appointments on personal whims and wishes which is gross violation of the CCP Service rules. He allegedly received kickbacks and bribe from suppliers/contractors and consultants. Second Complaint Verification (CV) was authorised against Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Islamabad. In this case the accused person was alleged for illegal appointment of 200 employees. He allegedly established his own private company by the name of PATCO and PARC sales and purchases were made through the company and profit was distributed among his partners. He was also running a private NGO by the name of SOFT wherein he is Patron-in-Chief and his wife and friends were also working on different positions.
The board meeting also decided to accept the Voluntary Return (VR) application of Toyota Zarkoon Motors, Quetta, of Rs40 million and decided to initiate action against Project Director of Police Department of Balochistan and others under 9-C on NAO-1999 in Project Conversion of “B” area into “A” and report within four weeks time.
The EBM decided to close two inquiries against Mir Muhammad Iqbal Zehri, City Bank, Shahrah-e-Faisal Branch, Karachi, and Inquiry against M/s Wadood Engineering Services & M/s Creative Enterprises account hold of Samba Bank Limited fountain branch Karachi due to lack of incriminating evidence. In an inquiry against Imram Akhtar and other officials of Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE, regarding illegal appointment of Mrs. Gulraiz Ahmed Hussain, ex-principal for illegal appointments of teachers and embezzlement of funds, the EBM decided that violation of SOPs in appointment has been noticed in the past many years. The matter was referred to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tackle the matter at their own level as per rules and policy.
In the end, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said NAB is determined for eradication of corruption throughout the country and is making all out efforts that all public and private institutions serve the people on merit, without temptation of ‘bribe or greed’ and help in promotion of merit. He said NAB is committed to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices through fair and transparent investigations and vigorous prosecution in courts. He directed all officers/officials of NAB to put their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupt in accordance with law, transparently and merit.