NAB files reference against ex-minister

Inquiry reveals illegal mining contract was awarded in Rajoa, Chiniot areas

LAHORE:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has filed a corruption reference against former minister for mines and minerals Sibtain Khan along with eight others involved in illegally granting of a multi-billion contract in connivance with the Management of Punjab Mineral Development Corporation (PUNJMIN).

As per the reference details, the anti-graft’s Combined Investigation Team (CIT) launched a thorough probe over an alleged loop-sided agreement after being referred from Lahore High Court (LHC) that a mining agreement between ERPL and PUNJMIN’s management for mining of huge iron ore deposits comprising 500 metric tonnes located in Rajoa and Chiniot areas of Punjab.

The inquiry was authorised against ERPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arshad Waheed and the management of PUNJMIN. The inquiry revealed that former minister for mines and minerals Sibtain Khan in active aid, abetment and connivance with officers of PUNJMIN dishonestly and with mala fide intentions permitted for landing into an illegal joint venture agreement between PUNJMIN and ERPL in July 2007. The inquiry further revealed that the minister knew the fact that ERPL had no past experience in mining.

The agreement was executed without administering any open competitive bidding process against public policy and national interest. More to that, the PUNJMIN agreed to award mining contract worth billions with simply 20% gaining partnership to a company (ERPL) having merely Rs2.5 million surety.

During the course of the on-going inquiry, NAB arrested prime suspect Sibtain Khan on June 14, 2019, while others former secretary of mines and minerals department Imtiaz Ahmed Cheema, former general manger operations and planning Muhammad Aslam and former chief inspector mines Abdul Sattar were also nabbed on June 18, 2019, whereas, remaining three co-accused were arrested during the investigation process.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2021.