Accountability body to file reference against ex-ETBP chief; closes probe against ex-PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. PHOTO: AFP
The decision was taken during an executive board (EB) meeting of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at the authority’s headquarters in Islamabad with the body’s chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry in the chair.
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The first reference which was approved was against Syed Asif Hashmi, the former chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and others. In this case, the accused allegedly made 777 illegal appointments in the ETPB causing a loss of Rs774.73 million to the national exchequer.
The second reference was approved against Azmat Hayat Khan, the former vice-chancellor (VC) of the University of Peshawar and others. In this case, the accused allegedly misused their authority and bought land for the varsity in the Aza Khel area of Peshawar at exorbitant rates causing a loss of millions to the national exchequer.
The board also decided to start four investigations.
The first investigation authorised was against the chief executive officer of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and others. The accused led IESCO to allegedly invest in the Trust Investment Bank Limited (TIBL) causing a loss of Rs127 million to the national exchequer.
The second investigation was authorised against staffers of the Land Utilization Department and others for the alleged illegal regularization of land allotted to the Zeeshan Builders causing a loss of Rs300 million to the national exchequer.
The third Investigation was authorised against staffers of the State Bank of Pakistan and Bank Islami for allegedly misusing their authority in the non-transparent amalgamation of KASB Bank into Bank Islami, and granting Rs20 billion in concessional loans for this purpose. This caused the national exchequer to lose billions.
The fourth Investigation was authorised against Dr Ihasan Ali, the vice chancellor of the Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan. Ali had allegedly misused his authority, misappropriated varsity funds allocated for procuring various items causing a loss of Rs410 million.
The board also authorised three inquiries. These included an inquiry against Sindh MPA Nawab Taimur Talpur for allegedly accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.
The second inquiry was authorised against dealers of Indus Motor Company Limited in Hyderabad and Karachi for allegedly misappropriating millions in lieu of booking vehicles, stealing Rs250 million from the public.
The third inquiry was authorised against staffers of the Punjab Sports Board for misappropriating youth festival funds, causing a loss of millions to the public.
NAB to file reference against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
Three inquiries were authorised. The first authorised inquiry was against the management of the KPT Officers Cooperative Housing Society and others for the alleged illegal reclamation of additional land from the seabed, its allotment, misappropriation of funds, the award of the second contract for dredging and illegal occupation of reclaimed land. This caused a loss of Rs12.27 billion.
The second authorised inquiry was against staffers of DAD in Sukkur Division. The accused were allegedly involved in massive corruption and misappropriation of funds, causing a loss of Rs2.91 billion.
The third inquiry which was authorised was against the owners and managers of the Creek Marina Project in Karachi for alleged corruption and cheating the public and causing a loss of Rs3.2 billion to the national exchequer.
The board closed six inquiries for lack of evidence. These included an inquiry against former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, management of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation and others, staffers of the Provincial Highway Department in Jhelum, Industries Minister Ali Malkani, former MNA Shafqat Shah Shirazi, former Sindh MPA Ejaz Shah Shirazi, Bashir Dawood and Mariyum Dawood.
NAB K-P
Meanwhile, a regional board meeting (RBM) of NAB Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was decided to conduct several inquiries and file references.
Following court orders, an inquiry was authorized against Saleem Hassan Wattoo, the director general of the Peshawar Development Authority for embezzling funds in renovating the PDA director general’s house, installation of street lights on GT-Jamurd Road, toll plaza in Hayatabad, installation of digital hoardings.
Moreover, he allegedly awarded contracts without open competition to his hand-picked companies build roads in Regi Model Town, the establishment of food street in Phase-VI Hayatabad, installation of tuff tiles in Hayatabad Markets.
Further, he allegedly hired ghost employees and illegally promoted junior officers. He was also accused of misinforming authorities about the completion of Bab-e-Peshawar Project and awarded himself and his favourites honorarium. He also hired a fleet of private lawyers for himself which was paid for by the PDA in violation of Central Law Officers Act 1971 and Supreme Court Orders.
Another inquiry was authorized against staffers of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Agencies Education Offices and FRs for hiring ghost employees who were being paid double salaries in connivance with officials of Agencies Education Offices
The Regional Board also decided to file a reference against Muhammad Shoaib, the Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) Kohat Tehsil Municipal Administration for illegally appointing people in various cadres in violation of the rules.
Another reference was recommended for the approval against Gul Habib, the former superintendent of the Haripur Grid Station for accumulating assets worth Rs45.62 million, beyond his known sources of income.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2017.
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