NAB given ultimatum to file reference in Rs5b M6 land scam

Watchdog expected to consider plea bargain

KARACHI:

An accountability court issued an ultimatum to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday, compelling it to submit a consolidated reference regarding the Rs5.8 billion land acquisition scandal related to the M6 Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway.

During the hearing, NAB Prosecutor Jugnu Khan requested an extension to prepare the reference for over Rs3 billion in alleged corruption during the land acquisition for M6 in Noshehro Feroze district. Tashfeen Alam, former deputy commissioner of that district, remains at large.

Present in the court were Saudul Haq, a relative of Alam, Sindh Bank’s manager Mukhtiar Chandio, cashier Zeeshan, and Atta Chandio. Although NAB sought physical remand for all four suspects for further investigation, the court granted remand for Haq only, sending the others to jail on judicial remand.

The prosecution also presented a witness to testify against the accused individuals. However, the court declined to record the witness’s statement, insisting that the prosecutor file the final reference before testimonies could be taken.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for another accused, Muhammad Aslam Pirzada, submitted a plea bargain in the court. NAB is expected to consider the plea bargain before deciding whether to consent to it or reject it in court.

The court expressed its displeasure at the absence of the investigation officer. The hearing was adjourned to October 27, with the directive that NAB must submit the reference by then.

NAB has already filed a reference against both public and private individuals, including the former DC of Matiari district, Adnan Rashid, concerning the Rs2.37 billion land acquisition controversy for the motorway section that will pass through Matiari.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2023.