Misappropriation: K-P NAB okays inquiries into PKHA, TCKP

Probes also authorised against provincial mineral department

PESHAWAR: The provincial chapter of the apex anti-corruption watchdog on Friday authorised inquiries against officials of the provincial tourism and the highway departments for misappropriation and embezzlement.

These decisions were taken at the regional board meeting (RBM) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) — Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter, on Friday. The meeting was chaired by K-P NAB Director General (DG) Farmanullah Khan.

The board authorised an inquiry against officers and officials of the K-P Mineral Department regarding corruption and corrupt practices.

It is alleged that the accused were involved in illegal mining and causing a huge loss to the national exchequer.

Another inquiry was authorised against executive engineers of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) Construction Division and TESCO among others regarding corruption and misuse of authority.

The accused had awarded five contracts to a single contractor who did not qualify for the contract. Moreover, the contractors were paid without completing the work.

The board also authorised an inquiry against officers of the Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority (PKHA) regarding corruption and corrupt practices. The suspects had allegedly embezzled Rs400 million in compensation money meant for affectees of the Swat Expressway by changing measurements.

The regional board also authorised an inquiry against officers of the K-P Tourism Department for alleged corruption by misappropriating Rs850 million in developmental funds by using substandard materials in the construction of hotels and roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2018.