NAB has proven it is apolitical: Iqbal

NAB chief was briefed on progress in several high-level cases

LAHORE: On the second day of Chairperson National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Javed Iqbal’s visit to NAB Complex Lahore, he was given a detailed briefing by Director General NAB Lahore Saleem Shahzad about investigations in different corruption cases.

Cases the NAB chief was briefed on included investigations against ex-DG LDA Ahad Khan Cheema, progress over investigations into Ashiyana-e-Iqbal Housing project, inquiry into Punjab Saaf Pani Project, inquiry into allegations of corruption in Lahore Parking Company, Punjab Mineral Company, inquiry against Fawad Hassan Fawad, investigations against CEO Earth Resource Private Limited Arshad Waheed, Nandipur Power Plant Case, administration and the developers of Paragon City.

The other cases included investigations against the accused person Naveed Ikram arrested in Punjab Power Development Company Case, inquiry against Moonis Elashi in offshore companies case, inquiry against Chaudhry brothers and inquiry against the administration of Eden Housing Society.

Iqbal was told that NAB had received over 9,700 claims against Eden Housing Society.

An officer told The Express Tribune that cases of Cheema and Fawad were the most important, Iqbal was briefed about. He said NAB was planning to bring a supplementary reference against Cheema. He added Cheema was arrested in Ashiyana-e-Iqbal case and during investigations, initially it came forth that Cheema had received 12 kanals as a bribe for misusing his authority and favouring Casa Developer. Later, it went up to 30 kanals.

NAB so far has found Cheema owned assets far beyond his means. The investigators also found over 90 kanals were entitled against him and his family was received by Cheema and this area of land was independent of the wealth he owned in his national and foreign accounts. He added that NAB would file the supplementary reference later this month.

Similar revelations were being popped up during investigations against the former principal secretary, where the bureau found that he too had assets far beyond his means. NAB had written to The State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, Excise and Taxation Department, DCs, TMAs etc to inquire about his assets and was analysing these records, he added.

NAB spokesperson Muhammad Zeeshan Anwar said that Iqbal ordered NAB Lahore to file a supplementary reference against Cheema as soon as possible. He also issued orders to approach the court for cancellation of the pre-arrest bail of former Lahore Parking Company CEO Hafiz Nauman.

The NAB chief also added that NAB has proven they were not associated with any group, party or politician through its actions. He asked officers to stand firm in investigations without being influenced by any pressure.