Assistant director food in NAB custody

Accountability watchdog claims the accused possesses assets worth Rs200m

QUETTA: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has arrested Assistant Director for Food department Sher Zaman Tareen for possessing assets beyond means.

In a statement on Thursday, the NAB claimed that the accused is involved in having illegal assets of up to Rs200 million. Moreover, three references regarding allotment in Harnai without following the rules are already filed in court against the accused.

According to initial investigation, the accused had made illegal property in Islamabad, Quetta and other cities. It was also revealed that the accused had allotted expensive land to his brother with the help of revenue department.

It is pertinent to mention that to detect corruption in food department, NAB Balochistan also filed references in the court against an ex-minister, ex-secretary, and others.



The recent development was expected as after meeting members of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) on November 5, NAB Balochistan Director General Muhammad Abid Javed had said that investigations were underway against officials in 25 provincial departments.

“Incumbent provincial ministers are also being probed over corruption,” he said.

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

He had said 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 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.