NAB forwards cases of Durrani, PIA for approval

Durrani accumalated assets of Rs1.6 billion, claims NAB

KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday forwarded cases, including those of Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani and the national carrier, for approval from the director general of the accountability watchdog, said a statement.

It was recommended to chairman NAB that approval of a reference against Durrani after completion of the investigation should be granted.

"The board was apprised that the accused had accumulated assets beyond known sources of income worth Rs 1.6 billion much beyond his declared assets."

"The assets were held by the accused, his family and various benamidars who have been recommended for trial. There are certain benamidars who are personal servants of the accused and his family."

The statement added that subsequent to completion of the complaint verification process, the PIA case has been recommended for authorisation of inquiry.

"As per details, an ATR 42-500 aircraft was illegally grounded by senior management in April 2014 which accrued loss to PIA to the tune of millions of rupees."

According to the statement, the plane would have been otherwise functional and airworthy with routine maintenance, however, the plane was grounded in violation of aviation regulations, with the intention of stealing its parts and rendering its status as scrap.

 



Furthermore, an investigation was authorised after completion of inquiry against M/s Humair Associates regarding Gulshan e Roomi Housing Project on allegations of cheating public at large.

"It was established that the builder after receiving amounts in millions from 104 allottees, had failed to hand over possession of plots to them since 1979." While the value of plots is approximately valued at Rs600 million.

 

The regional board also made a recommendation to GD NAB for approval of a supplementary reference against Senator Kamran Michael, against whom further evidence was collected regarding his role in receiving bribes of Rs110 million through bank accounts of his friends and benamidars, for illegal sale of plots of KPT Cooperative Housing Society.

"Michael purchased various properties in his brother’s name with the money coming from bribes, a supplementary reference will be filed against him and other accused persons after approval of the competent authority. "