NAB green-lights new investigations, inquiries

Summons former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today in connection with LNG case

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has green-lighted two investigations and eight inquiries against various suspects including politicians and bureaucrats.

NAB’s Executive Board Meeting (EBM), chaired by the anti-graft watchdog’s chairman, Javed Iqbal, on Wednesday also approved closing some inquiries due to absence of evidence.

According to an official statement, the EBM approved initiating two investigations against officials/officers of the Board of Revenue and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) former director general Manzoor Qadir Kaka and others.

The EBM approved to launch eight inquiries against the officials of the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation, Shahzad Riaz, Sikandar Rapoto, Shuja Ropoto, Hyderabad/Jamshoro Town Nazim Taluka, Sehvan, District Dadu, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Former Inspector General Police, Sindh , Karachi, Manzoor Ali Magsi, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, officers/officials of Pakistan Railways and Revenue Department, officials and officials of Karachi Port Trust, Sindh Revenue Department.

The EBM also approved to send to Sindh chief secretary inquiries against Dr Anjum Rehman, principal Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhuttoo Medical College, GM Umer Farooq Borero, Muhammad Habib, Additional Secretary/DDO, Muhammad Haroon.  It also approved sending inquiry against officials/officials of the Karachi Port Trust to Ministry of Ports and Shipping for further legal action.

The EBM approved closing inquiries against officers/officials of Sindh Land Utilization Department –Muhammad Qasim and others, management of Ziauddin Hospital, officials of parking and anti-encroachment staff of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, management, others of Hockey Association West, Bashir Dawood, Maryam Dawood and others, Amanullah of Alasar Group and officers/officials of Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority owing to absence of evidence.

NAB chairman said the watchdog is strictly following policy of ‘Accountability for All’ and its priority is to take mega corruption cases to logical conclusion. He said all resources are being utilised to take the cases of corrupt elements, proclaimed offenders and absconders to logical conclusion.

“NAB officers should consider elimination of corruption as their national responsibility,” he said.

The NAB-EBM was attended by the accountability watchdog’s deputy chairman, prosecutor general accountability, director general operation and other senior officers

NAB has also summoned former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday (today) at NAB office in Rawalpindi. Abbasi will appear before NAB Deputy Director Malik Zubair Ahmed in connection with a case of alleged misuse of authority in award of LNG contract in his capacity as petroleum minister.