Ministers being probed over corruption: NAB

DG NAB Balochistan says investigation against officials in 25 provincial depts underway

QUETTA: Director General of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan Muhammad Abid Javed on Monday revealed that investigations were underway against officials in 25 provincial departments.

“Incumbent provincial ministers are also being probed over corruption,” he said in a statement after meeting members of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) in the provincial capital on Monday.

Javed elaborated that the NAB Balochistan had been looking into corruption allegations against officials belonging to the Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) and the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).



He also revealed that investigation was also being carried out in a mega corruption scam of Rs5 billion in Pat Feeder Canal. He added that the bureau had also started a probe into Rs300 billion worth of investments in Pasni Fish Harbour.

“Huge amount of money was spent without any appropriate planning, but the harbour is still in a dilapidated condition,” said Javed.

On the issue of land grabbing in the province, he said that at least 10 cases of unlawful land allotment in Gwadar were lodged with NAB.

Speaking about corrupt practices in government departments, the NAB official said people should report such incidents to the authorities. He said that complaints regarding federal departments were being addressed within a month. He assured that the bureau would provide full protection to the witnesses and complainants.

Javed urged the provincial government to bring impartiality in issuance of government tenders.



He said that the NAB Balochistan would soon establish a separate counter for traders to lodge complaints. He said that due to uncertainty, the province’s trade with neighbouring countries had decreased, and that needed to be revived.

The QCCI lauded the steps taken by the DG NAB Balochistan for business community and assured their full support in the ‘war against corruption’.

On the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scheme case, Javed said the bureau was not facing any political pressure. He said the arrest of political bigwigs “indicates that no one is above the law”.