NAB issues notices to ‘deceased’

Former minister's late father, sister included in anti-corruption inquiry

KARACHI:

The corruption watchdog has a peculiar quality, it does not bite people in government, but once they are out of office, the National Accountability Bureau will open files of even deceased persons.

In one such instance, the premier anti-corruption body of the country has initiated proceedings against the father Bhagwan Das and sister of former Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, even though they have died.

Chawla told The Express Tribune that his father Bhagwan Das had passed away 20 years ago and his sister, eight years ago. People linked to Chawla under investigation by NAB include Hasan Ali Sharif, Aamir Ashraf, Jaram Das, Waheed Sheikh, Aamir Gul Qureshi and others.

Chawla said he was surprised to receive the notice from NAB though they were cooperating in investigations. "We believe in constitution and law," he said.

NAB has sprung into action, opening files of Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, after completion of Sindh government's constitutional term.

Names of around 60 people have been put on stop list at all airports.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2023.