PTI’s Haleem Shaikh, Qadri face NAB inquiries

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday launched an inquiry against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Shaikh and expanded the probe against Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri.

According to sources, NAB has written a letter to the deputy commissioner of Malir district, seeking records related to illegal sale of 253 acres of government land.

Other documents, including that of farm houses, of Shaikh had also been sought.

The sources said that the graft buster had already completed the investigation against Sheikh. They added that Shaikh made commercial use of the government land. The Malir DC had been directed to submit the records by July 27. NAB had also sought evidence from the anti-corruption department on the matter.

In another development, NAB had expanded a probe against Qadri and decided to inquire into alleged irregularities in Hajj advertising campaign.

The sources said that NAB decided to scrutinise the Hajj advertising campaign after allegations of irregularities.

NAB, they said, would collect record of the advertising campaign for Hajj during that last two years. The bureau would also collect the record from the advertising agencies and the Press Information Department (PID), the sources added.

NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had earlier authorised verification of a complaint regarding misuse of power against the minister over his alleged involvement in renting out a government building to his business partner.

According to the sources, the complaint cell of NAB would collect complete information of the assets of the religious affairs minister. After verification of the complaints, an inquiry could be launched against the minister.

WITH INPUT FROM DNA FROM ISLAMABAD