Corruption: Witness records statement in weapons scandal case

PESHAWAR:

An accountability court recorded the statement of another witness in the weapons scandal case against former IGP Malik Naveed. Later, the case was adjourned till January 15.

The statement was recorded before accountability judge Ibrahim Khan on Wednesday. It was given by Constable Zarmash Khan who stood witness against the former IGP. NAB had filed a corruption reference worth Rs2.03 billion in a weapons procurement scam at a local accountability court and nominated 10 people in it.

Besides the former IGP, NAB said Arshad Majeed, a private contractor, was awarded a lucrative contract to purchase weapons and other gadgets for the K-P police. Majeed, who was arrested on February 21, 2013, was released by PHC after he agreed to return Rs102 million voluntarily.

In his statement, which was recorded before NAB, he confessed to the payment of Rs1 billion to several people as bribes to get the contract. He alleged the former IGP was among them.

The other people nominated in the case were former CM Ameer Haider Hoti, his brother Amir Ghazzan Hoti, Jawed, Raza Ali, FC commandant Abdul Majeed Marwat, K-P former additional IGP Abdul Latif Gandapur, Central Police Office DIG Sajid Ali Khan, former Peshawar DIG Headquarters Mohammad Suleman, former CPO Peshawar, AIG (establishment) Kashif Alam and the then DIG (telecommunication), Sadiq Kamal Orakzai.

The NAB reference said that most of the police officers were members of the procurement committee. The then provincial government had awarded the contract keeping in view the deteriorating law and order in the province.

The contract was awarded for purchase of heavy weapons, bulletproof jackets, night vision goggles, submachine guns, magazines and ammunition. NAB claimed that rules and regulations were violated while awarding the contract that caused a loss to the tune of Rs2.03 billion to the national exchequer.

The federal and provincial governments released Rs7 billion for police recruitment and training to enable the force to fight terrorism effectively.

NAB claimed that during the course of enquiry, it transpired that the accused were controlling the entire process to get the contract. Besides, the inspection committee was also held responsible for not conducting tests and trials of the weapons purchased.

Meanwhile, an accountability court sent a suspect to jail after his physical remand was completed. The suspect identified as Adil would introduce himself as the owner of a money exchange company in the provincial capital and try to con unsuspecting locals.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.