NAB approves graft inquiries against ex-PM, ministers

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sohail Anwar Siyal, Malik Muhammad Qayyum among those being investigated


APP January 03, 2019
Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board Meeting of National Accountability Bureau (EBM-NAB) on Wednesday accorded approval of conducting two inquiries and 20 investigations against various suspects, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sohail Anwar Siyal, Malik Muhammad Qayyum and others.

According to a press release, the EBM chaired by Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal authorised conducting inquiries against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former minister for petroleum and natural resources; Arshad Mirza, former petroleum secretary; Sheikh Imran-ul-Haq, former managing director, Pakistan State Oil (PSO); Yaqub Sattar, deputy managing director, Pakistan State Oil and Muhammad Naeemuddin Khan, President/Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Punjab and others.

The EBM accorded approval to conduct 20 inquiries against various suspects, including former MNA Mian Imtiaz, Mian Ibrahim, Mian Ejaz Aamir, Chaudhry Muhammad Munir and others; Sohail Anwer Sial, former provincial minister; Ali Anwar Sial and others; Jam Khan Shoro, former provincial minister for local bodies, Sindh; Zahid Ali Bargari, former provincial minister, Sindh; Abdul Jabbar Khan, former political consultant; Amanullah Sial, chairman, Mehran Cooperative Society; Ali Usman, Stock Brokerage, Private Limited; Khalida Anwar, M Usman Tasadduq and others; Justice (retd) Malik Muhammad Qayyum, former attorney general and others; Farooq Awan, former secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and others; Messers Gold Transmit Network Technology Private Limited, Karachi; and Messers Green Apple Super Market, Private Limited, Lahore; Shahid Malik, Shahbaz Yasin Malik, Saima Shahbaz Malik, Owners of Hilton Pharma Limited and others; Messrs D Baloch, Contractor; officers/officials of Irrigation Department, Sindh; and others; Muhammad Ramzan Awan, former Sindh local government department secretary; and others.

Muhammad Tariq Awan, former secretary Workers Welfare Board, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; Fareedullah, secretary, Workers Welfare Board, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; officers/officials of Workers Welfare Board, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; Liaquat Ali Bhatti, SDO, Education Department; Deedar Hussein Jalbani, former DPO, Education Department, Kambar-Shahdadkot; Qamar Raza Baloch, former Deputy Commissioner, Shahdadkot; and others.

The EBM-NAB also approved inquiries against officers/officials of the National Highway Authority, Old Larkana Package, and others; Abdul Razzaq, XEN; Syed Qalandar Hussein Shah, former chairman, district council, Bahawalnagar; officer/officials of the district council, Bahawalnagar; management of East West Company, LLC and others; management of Pakistan International Air Lines Corporation Limited Karachi and others and officers/officials of the Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan.

The EBM accorded approval of referring inquiries against appointments of officers/officials of PIA to the FIA, the appointment of Principal Girls Cadet College, Mardan to the chief secretary, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for investigations.

The EBM accorded approval conducting complaint verification against Mansha group and rejected the voluntary return application of Ali Usman, Stock Brokerage, Private Limited; Khalida Anwar, M Usman Tasadduq and others.

Meanwhile, NAB has clarified that the tradition of sharing details of the EBM with people was not aimed at sullying anyone.

“The inquiries, investigations, initiated against alleged accusations are not final,” the NAB said and added, “It decides taking action against the suspects only after checking/sifting the facts.”

The NAB chairman said, “NAB believes ensuring [a] corruption free Pakistan, strictly pursuing the policy of 'Accountability for All'.”

“NAB believes eradication of corruption as its national responsibility,” he added.

The chairman said all resources were being utilised to take mega corruption cases to logical conclusion. “NAB's priority is to eliminate corruption, arrest proclaimed offenders and make them answerable.”

He said effective measures were being taken to ensure recovery of the amount looted by various housing societies.

He directed the staff to conduct complaint verification against corrupt elements within the prescribed timeframe in accordance with law.

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