NAB rejects ‘smear campaign’ against 179 mega corruption cases

Accountability courts recover Rs4.36b from accused in 12 cases

ISLAMABAD:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday rejected a “smear campaign” against 179 mega corruption cases by terming it baseless, fabricated and continuation of propaganda against it.

In a statement, NAB spokesman noted that out of 179 mega corruption cases, 63 cases had been brought to a logical conclusion while 95 were pending in various accountability courts for which the anti-graft watchdog had requested them for a speedy trial.

Out of the 63 mega corruption cases, the accountability courts had recovered a total of Rs4.364 billion from the accused in 12 cases. 

According to details, Abdul Qadir Tawakal and others were awarded a fine of Rs613 million, Ishtiaq Hussain M/s Bariq Syndicate Rawalpindi and others Rs200 million, Pakistan Medical Cooperative Housing Society management and land suppliers Rs70 million, Haris Afzal son of Sher Muhammad Afzal and others Rs1 billion.

Similarly, Seth Nisar Ahmed and others were fined Rs179.069 million, Sheikh Muhammad Afzal Chief Executive/Director Harris Steel Industry Pvt Ltd and others Rs331 million, Raza Habib Chief Executive, Mrs Shumaila M/s Janat Apparel Pvt Ltd Faisalabad Rs174 million. 

Sheikh Mohammad Afzal was asked to pay Rs435 million, Galaxy City Rawalpindi management and others Rs213 million and Ayaz Khan Niazi, former NICL chairman and others Rs900 million.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ahsanullah, a former senior member of the Board of Revenue and others were fined Rs200 million while Saeed Akhtar, general manager of Pakistan Railways and others, were also penalised in different cases.

In six cases, NAB had managed voluntary returns up to Rs7.859 billion and deposited the amount in the national exchequer. The management of Al-Hamra Hills and Eden Builders returned Rs.1.902 billion, the management of Manzar-e-Kohsar Ahbab Housing Society Moza Jhando and others Rs80 million, M Amjad Aziz, CEO, Divine Developers, and others Rs313.308 million, Khushal Associates Nowshera and others Rs60 million, Shahnawaz Murree, former provincial minister for sports, Government of Balochistan, Rs14 million while Riaz Ahmed, DIG/ former project director, police department, Balochistan, returned Rs5.5 billion to the treasury under plea bargain.

In four mega corruption cases, the accused made a plea bargain through which a total of Rs1.256 billion was recovered by the NAB from the accused and deposited in the national treasury. 

Syed Masoom Shah, former special assistant to chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and others returned Rs300 million, M/s Capital Builders Pvt Ltd (New Islamabad Garden, Islamabad) and others Rs440 million, management and land supplier of M/s Teletown Pvt Ltd and others Rs311 million including Rao Fahim Yaseen, Rao Nadeem Yasin. Rao Naveed Yaseen and all the partners of M/s Wind Mills restaurant Lahore and others made a plea bargain of Rs205 million.

In addition, NAB has referred two cases to the concerned agencies for further action as per law while one case has been merged into a pre-existing case.

In addition, out of 179 mega-corruption cases, the courts have decided 11 mega-corruption cases in favour of the accused.

Meanwhile, 10 inquiries and 11 investigations continue while references in 95 mega corruption cases are being heard in various accountability courts.

APP