Pace of NAB inquiries varies widely

Politicians and bureaucrats face brisk and slow investigation


Our Correspondent November 26, 2018
NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: Inquiries into corruption cases against opposition leaders are being conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore on urgent basis while those against government officials are being carried out at a snail’s pace.

Time and again the opposition has condemned NAB’s double standards under which the inquiries against government officials are being done very slowly.

Future Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan was summoned for possessing assets beyond known means of income in June and July, but he did not appear. His last appearance was on August 10 in an ongoing investigation against him at NAB Lahore. Since then, NAB is silent.

NAB accuses PPP MPA of embezzling Rs198m

However, NAB has sought the record of his assets in Britain and the United Arab Emirates. The bureau reached out to both the countries about three months ago and reminder letters were also sent, but no answer was received.

Aleem has four flats in London and three in UAE and the decision to summon him again would be taken after obtaining the information.

Likewise, a letter was written to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi on July 27, while they last appeared in the middle of August.

According to NAB sources, Ilahi’s son MNA Chaudhry Monis Ilahi had also last appeared before the bureau about three months ago.

NAB received the records of the cases against the Chaudhry brothers and was reviewing them.

However, NAB spokesperson said, “All cases are under investigation according to the law. Records of cases are being reviewed and NAB takes action according to the law.”

NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal has said at multiple forums that NAB does not see the faces, but the cases.

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