NAB completes inquiry against Sharif in LDA plots case

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has concluded its inquiry against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) plots allotment case.

Sources said the combined investigation team (CIT) forwarded the inquiry report to the director general of the anti-corruption watchdog. The prosecution wing will give its legal opinion over the CIT’s inquiry report in the forthcoming regional board meeting, they added.

The complaint of misappropriation in allotment of LDA plots had been reported on April 3, 2000, against Sharif, who was the Punjab chief minister 20 years ago, as he allegedly provided an exemption for the plots with the nexus of the LDA director general, sources told.

The complaint stated that Sharif allotted the plots among “blue-eyed persons” after ending the quota under 1986’s LDA policy which allows the chairman for allotment of plots. The complaint against the former premier was pending for 20 years.

Earlier in October, NAB’s executive board had approved another graft reference against Sharif. The NAB executive board meeting chaired by its chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, had passed an accountability reference against Sharif for “illegal use of bullet-proof vehicles,” a statement of the accountability bureau said.

Former director general Aftab Sultan, former ambassador Aitzaz Chaudhry and Fawad Hassan Fawad have also been named in the reference.