Rs7 billion scam: SHC directs NAB to file progress report of inquiry

Funds were released for construction of safety embankments on Rehri Canal, says prosecutor

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Monday the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) prosecutor to submit a report regarding the progress of an inquiry into a Rs7 billion corruption scam.
Headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, a two-judge bench gave this direction while hearing bail applications filed by the director of the Rehri Canal improvement project.



The project director, Ashfaque Noor Memon, along with co-accused Wali Muhammad Naich and others, had moved the court for bail to avoid their arrests in connection with the alleged scam.
The NAB prosecutor informed the court that funds were released for the construction of safety embankments on the Rehri Canal in 2013-14 but the accused misappropriated the amount. He alleged the scam caused Rs7 billion losses to the national exchequer.



The prosecutor alleged that the accused obtained bail from the court when NAB issued call-up notices, adding that the accused also obtained a stay order against the survey of the embankments conducted by the accountability bureau officials.
"Who will stop the corrupt elements if corruption is being done on such a massive scale?" questioned Sheikh.



The bench directed the prosecutor to submit a progress report regarding the investigation into the scam by the next date of the hearing which is to be fixed by the office. Till then, the bail of the accused was extended.