PHC issues bail to K-P’s director archaeology, museums

Dr Abdul Samad is accused of illegal appointments, replacing museum artifacts with replicas

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday approved the bail application of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Director Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad in the case of alleged illegal appointments and missing artifacts.

A two-member bench of the PHC, comprising Justice Ruhul Amin and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim oversaw the case proceedings on Wednesday.

Shumail Butt, Samad's advocate, argued that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had already carried out a probe against his client.

His lawyer added that nothing could be proved against Butt with the investigation now being halted by the country's apex anti-graft body.

He said that previously the NAB's K-P division had investigated the matter and his client was deemed to have done nothing wrong.

Whereas, NAB prosecutor Azeem Dad argued that Samad was accused of illegal appointments in the department, as well as having assets beyond his means and embezzling project funds.

Dad said that he was also accused of replacing museum artifacts with replicas.

The PHC heard both arguments after which Samad was issued bail against two surety bonds worth Rs5 million.