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Friday March 29, 2024

NAB includes two ex-PMs in Rs60 bn ICH scam probe

By Khalid Mustafa
January 13, 2016

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has further intensified its probe into the Rs60 billion International Clearing House (ICH) scam and to this effect it has included two former prime ministers Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the investigation ring.

In a latest development, the NAB has issued final notice to Yusuf Raza Gilani of which an exclusive copy is available with The News. However, NAB has managed the services of Islamabad Police to include Pervaiz Ashraf in the investigation, as it has also been found that apart from Rs60 billion damage to the national exchequer because of ICH, overseas Pakistanis have also braved Rs9 billion loss.

The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) that is facing music in Sindh is now also the target of NAB in Punjab. The NAB was earlier probing Pervaiz Ashraf on the Rs60 billion swindling in ICH that was built for dealing with traffic calls coming from abroad. Under the latest scenario, it has now included Yusuf Raza Gilani in the probe ring. 

As per the inquiry report, Pervaiz Ashraf was served two notices, but he did not turn up. Now, the NAB has got the services of Islamabad Police and to this effect IG Islamabad has sent a notice to Pervaiz Ashraf. According to the preliminary inquiry report, the national kitty continued to sustain Rs1 billion loss every month during the period from August, 2012 to February, 2015.

The documents available with The News reveal that NAB has sent nine questions to Gilani for detailed answers. Gilani approved the ICH policy on April 12, 2012. The questionnaire that NAB has sent to Gilani, of which copy is also available with The News, mentions nine queries that include i) Policy directive for establishment of ICH was approved by you as in-charge minister of IT and Telecom Division on Aril 12, 2012. What was the justification of this policy directive? ii) Whether concerns of stakeholders were considered before the approval of the policy directive? iii) Have you observed all legal formalities while approving the policy directive for establishment of ICH? iv) And what are the rules of business for such policy directive? Who was approving authority among Prime Minister of Pakistan, in-charge minister of IT and Telecom or Cabinet Division for such policy directive for establishment of ICH?

The NAB also pitched the question before Gilani saying secretary IT and Telecom moved a note for the approval of minister in-charge on January 24, 2011, however the same was not approved. Why this note was not approved? NAB also asked saying later on note or summary was moved on April 2, 2012 with some changes or amendments in the earlier draft. Whether you as an in-charge minister suggested these changes in draft policy note? Gilani was also asked that he as minister in-charge approved the policy on April 4, 2012 with directions to discuss financial and legal implications if any. Such implications should have been addressed prior to approval of the policy directives. Why legal and financial divisions were not consulted before approval?

The NAB also highlighted that Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) raised some concerns before establishment of ICH. Why the concerns shown by CCP were not considered before approval of policy directives for ICH?