NAB chief takes notice of 'illegal' Chiniot mining contract

Punjab govt thanks anti-graft watchdog for taking up issue

National Accountability Bureau Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday took notice of the alleged corruption and illegal award of contract for exploiting iron ore in Chiniot, Punjab.

The NAB chairman directed the NAB Lahore DG to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit a report accordingly, said a press release issued by the bureau.

It added that the DG has also been directed to inquire about the reasons behind the closing of the inquiry of mineral extraction so that the responsibility could be fixed and action be taken against responsible officers who closed the inquiry allegedly against law.

It advised the DG that guidance could be sought from the decisions of the high court and the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government thanked the NAB chairman for taking notice of their appeal, said a press release. It added that the provincial government highlighted the ‘"mega-scandal" to find those responsible for "looting the nation".

It said, “Finding those responsible for this massive robbery of Rs450 million is as important as identifying the reasons for the delay in starting a NAB investigation.”