Accountability at work NAB to file two references, launch four probes

The EBM decides to close three separate investigations

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB at NAB Headquarters.

The EBM decided to file two corruption references, authorised four investigations.

The meeting decided to close separate investigations against Ayyaz Khan Niazi, ex-chairman of National Insurance Corporation Limited, Hussain Haqqani, ex-secretary information and MNA Peer Noor Muhammad Shah Jeelani due to lack of incriminating evidence.

NAB EBM decided to file corruption reference against Sheikh Abdul Rasheed, ex-DG of Lahore Development Authority in land scam. The second corruption reference was decided to be filed against Mufti Muhammad Ehsanul Haq and others for cheating public at large.

Investigations

The EBM decided to authorise investigation against Manzoor Qadir, DG Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi for misuse of authority, illegal allotment of amenity area.

Second investigation was authorised against directors and owners of Tarmac Pak Company and officials of C&W Department, government of Punjab for misuse of authority and misappropriation of funds worth over Rs.11.9 million.

Third investigation was authorised in the case of insider trading in the purchase of Azgard Nine Ltd shares and purchase of Agritech shares by NBP at higher rates. Fourth probe was authorised against Dr Zafar Iqbal, Ex-VC of Federal Urdu University, Karachi and other officials of the university for misappropriation of Rs82 million by illegal work order given to M/S Sardar Security Services.

The EBM re-authorised inquiry against Sindh Govt Lands Committee officers in illegal allotments. It also re-authorised probe against some officials of State Bank of Pakistan, Bank Islami, KASB and others for non-transparent amalgamation of KASB Bank into Bank Islami.

Third inquiry was re-authorised into illegal allotment of state land in favour of Dilshad Akhtar in Quetta.

The EBM also authorised inquiry against Khayal Zaman Mazar Khan, MNA, from Hangu regarding corrupt practices.

The EBM decided to authorise complaint verification against Sardar Hussain Babak, Former Education Minister KP. In this case, the accused person is alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income and misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs40 million.

In case of Ali Usman Stock Brokerage, the EBM approved Voluntary Return dealwith Khalida Anwar and M Osman Tassadaq for Rs98.25 million.

At the end, NAB chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, reiterated that NAB is committed to eradicate corruption from the country by adopting Zero Tolerance Policy through Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement Stagey. He directed all officers of NAB to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupt in accordance with laid down laws of NAB.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.