Former NAB officials continue to enjoy perks

Audit team declares it will have to reimburse the expenses incurred.

LAHORE:

The superior judiciary may have ousted them or their contracts might have expired, but their connections in the federal government have permitted four high-ranking officials of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to enjoy perks and privileges as if they were still in service, The Express Tribune has learnt.

An audit team discovered that the former officers are practically living at the government’s expense after their services were terminated four months to over a year ago. The team made the observation that the expenses running in millions of rupees will be recovered from them and deposited in the national exchequer, sources revealed.

Former director-general (DG) NAB Punjab Rana Zahid Mehmood was entitled to only one car while he was in office. Fuel expenditure of the five extra vehicles he used illegally will be recovered from him. DG NAB Rana Zahid Mehmood has returned only three out of six official vehicles in his use despite repeated reminders by NAB authorities. In May, this year, the Lahore High Court had declared it illegal for Mehmood to hold on to his post after completing his term. The federal law secretary had informed the court that he had no right to serve as the provincial DG.

Former prosecutor general accountability (PGA) Irfan Qadir will also have to pay fuel charges for the official vehicles he has failed to surrender as well as rent on the official residence he has illegally occupied since his contract expired, sources said. He has even retained his driver, a NAB employee. NAB authorities, however, have blocked the POL fleet card used by Qadir. Last September, the Supreme Court had annulled Qadir’s appointment. On September 6, 2010, the prime minister had directed the law secretary to implement the judicial verdict and withdraw all his privileges with immediate effect, but the order has yet to be carried out.

Former chairman NAB Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah and former acting PGA Akbar Tarar have also shied away from returning official vehicles and continue to enjoy as many perks as their connections allow. This March, the apex court had declared Justice (retd) Shah’s appointment as NAB chairman unconstitutional and ordered him to immediately step down. Tarar, whose contract expired three months ago, continues to visit the office to use the telephone, sources said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th,  2011.