NAB dismisses speculative allegations

NAB believes that the allegations are an attempt to influence the conduct of trial

ISLAMABAD: While acknowledging the right of the media to inform and educate the public, NAB has taken a serious view of a consistent and concerted campaign by a section of media aimed at tarnishing the image of the institution as well as its leadership.

According to a press release issued, NAB said it is conscious to the fact that vested interests on the wrong side of the law would not be happy with its performance. However, it is disappointing to note irresponsible individuals misusing their status as members of the journalist community. Ordinarily, NAB would not dignify such malicious and biased contents with a comment.

Nor would it discuss individual cases in media. However, in view of the malicious campaign being unleashed against the person of the present Chairman as well as NAB itself in the case of OGRA, where the reference is subjudice in an accountability court in Islamabad, NAB is forced to put the record straight.

It has been alleged that the names of the two accused were illegally deleted from the reference by the current Chairman. Nothing can be further from the truth. NAB believes that this allegation is an attempt to influence the conduct of trial in the accountability court.

Without prejudice to the right to seek appropriate legal remedy, NAB wishes to place on record the following facts: a) The fact of the matter is that during the course of investigations, certain individuals were alleged to have committed and facilitated the usage of unmetered gas allegedly covered up under the umbrella of unaccounted for gas (UFG). The verification process necessitated a visit to the site in Jamshoro.

A three-member team comprising of one Senior Director, one Senior Prosecutor and the investigation Officer Waqas Ahmed Khan, Deputy Director visited SSGCL/JJVL site at Jamshoro, Sindh. The committee physically inspected site under the control of SSGCL, recorded statements of the officials and on the basis of this evidence found that no case could be made out against these individuals. It was on the basis of this physical visit / verification report that the investigation officer did not proceed against these individuals.

The report and findings of the investigation team were considered by a Committee headed by Deputy Chairman and including Prosecutor General Accountability and concerned Directors General. The committee examined the facts and documentary evidence and agreed with the findings of the Investigation Team Officer.

The two reports prepared by the same Investigation Officer, Waqas Ahmed Khan, depicted the pre-visit and post-visit factual position on the ground, respectively. It may also be noted that the same matter was examined by the highest Judicial Forum i.e. The Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the reference by the NAB in the Accountability Court was upheld. It is therefore expected that no further mischievous and speculative stories on the matter be raised so that the trial meets its fair and logical conclusion.

NAB wishes to assert that its conduct and actions are subject to the test of judicial scrutiny. It will continue to discharge its legal mandate and responsibility undeterred by any such malicious and baseless propaganda.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th,  2015.

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