NAB files reference against officials of DDO Quetta

Executives had illegally awarded contracts of six water schemes to their friends and relatives

QUETTA: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has filed a reference in an accountability court in Quetta against the director, deputy director and two assistant directors of Director Development Office Quetta and one contractor for corruption, which had allegedly caused losses of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.

According to NAB investigation, the officials of Director Development Office Quetta in connivance with each other illegally had awarded contracts of six water schemes sanctioned for Hazara Town Quetta to their friends and relatives.

After collecting evidence against all the accused, NAB Balochistan filed reference against Director Development Office Director Mohammad Arif Baloch, Deputy Director Technical Abdul Khaliq, Assistant Directors Abdul Hameed and Abdul Nabi and contractor Ejaz Ahmed.

Separately NAB filed a reference against former MNA Qahar Wadan, former MPA Dr Kaleemullah, owner of a famous shopping center Dr Haroon and six others for leasing state land allegedly at throw away prices.

An investigation carried out by NAB Balochistan revealed that the former MNA and former town Nazim of Quetta Qahar Wadan had illegally leased the state land to his relative and received the money in his brother’s bank account.

Later, former MPA and Quetta ex-mayor Dr Kaleemullah by misusing his authority gave another extension for the same state land leased to the owner of a famous shopping centre Dr Haroon.

NAB has tightened the noose around corrupt officials across the province in its attempts to free Balochistan from the menace of dishonest, fraudulent activities.

Earlier, NAB Director General Farmanullah Khan vowed that the bureau is striving hard to eradicate corruption from the country.

“Collective efforts by all segments of the society are required to get rid of this menace,” he said last month while talking to complainants during an open ketchehri held at the regional bureau.

Khan affirmed that the elements involved in looting the public wealth will be brought to justice.

“In the light of NAB chairman’s vision, accountability bureau is pursuing the policy of across the board accountability,” he maintained.

Khan assured that according to the documented proof in various cases, strict action will be taken to provide relief to the affected people and recover the looted national wealth.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2019.