NAB files reference against former PM Shaukat Aziz, others in consultancy scandal

Bashir retrospectively awarded contract against AEDB's rules, regulations

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad on Monday filed a reference in the accountability court against former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and others in connection with the illegal selection of Basharat Hasan Bashir as a consultant for the country's top alternative energy board on an MP-II scale salary package.

The others include former federal minister water and power Liaqat Ali Khan Jatoi, former secretary for water and power Ismail Qureshi and former additional secretary for water and power Yousaf Memon.

Furthermore, Ghulam Nabi Mangrio, ex-joint secretary of water and power; Umar Farooq, ex-section officer of water and power; as well as, retired air marshal Shahid Hamid and former chairman of alternative energy development board (AEDB) are also among those included in the reference.

Moreover, the name of  Dr Nasim A Khan who is ex-secretary of AEDB is also in the list.

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It is alleged that the accused persons appointed Bashir without following the prescribed procedures and consulting proper channels.

The appointment of Bashir violated MP scale policy guidelines and the board's regulations not employing open competition. Bashir was awarded consultancy retrospectively back in 2006.

"After the expiry of his consultancy contract in May 2008, the accused Basharat Hasan Bashir illegally held the said post for almost 5 years without any extension, notification or regular appointment and kept on enjoying salary and all perks and privileges illegally in connivance with the management of AEDB," the NAB reference reads.