Ex-Quetta officials under NAB radar
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday accorded approval of conducting inquiries against the former chairman of Quetta Development Authority Fazal Amin Shah, former Quetta city nazim Maqbool Lehri and Balochistan Irrigation department official Saddam Bazai.
The executive board meeting was chaired by the anti-graft watchdog Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal at the NAB headquarters in Islamabad.
He directed the bureau’s Balochistan chapter to bring in the suspects for interrogation without any delay and prepare for court proceedings in this regard if any need arises.
On the other hand, Justice (retd) Iqbal also authorised an inquiry against former Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Hafeez-ur-Rehman and told officials to carry out a probe against the accused.
During the board meeting, inquiry approvals were also given against Rashid Ali Atro, Syed Masood Hussain Shah, Nasreen Kamran, Sajawal of Sindh Workers Welfare Board government of Sindh, Abdul Hafeez, Saleh Muhammad of a non-governmental organisation, Saeed Ahmed, a proprietor at GNS Traders, Abid Solango, an accountant of the Population Department Abdul Ghaffar, proprietor Rao and Rana Builders and Developers, Sukkur and others.
Also read Buzdar announces Rs25b uplift projects
Sharing details of the executive board meeting, a spokesperson for the bureau said that NAB did not mean to hurt the feelings of anyone by sharing details of the meeting. He maintained that all the inquiries and investigations were being initiated on the basis of allegations which were not final.
The spokesperson added that the decision to go ahead with any case is taken after assessing merits of the case.
Speaking on the occasion, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Iqbal said achieving the target of a “corruption-free Pakistan” and eradication of this menace was the priority of the bureau.
“Since its inception, the bureau has recovered Rs714 billion whereas a record Rs487 billion has been recovered from corrupt elements directly or indirectly during his tenure as the director general and the incumbent management,” he added.
DG NAB urged the accused persons to utilise their energy and defend their corruption cases instead of criticising the bureau without any cogent reason.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2021.