NAB files reference against Elahi, Moonis

Accuses PTI leaders of receiving kickbacks from contractors engaged for construction projects in Gujrat

LAHORE:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference against Punjab former chief minister Parvez Elahi, his son Moonis and twelve other people for allegedly receiving kickbacks—to the tune of Rs1.23b—from contractors engaged for various construction projects undertaken in Gurjat.

The reference submitted to an accountability court in Lahore said the suspects ``with dishonest intent and by misusing their authority to collect kickbacks,” sanctioned additional schemes of Punjab Highways Department in two constituencies of Gujrat, Elahi’s native town.

“They [Elahi, Moonis and their aides] misused their authority and official positions to get appointed their confidant and trustworthy officers in Punjab Highways Department, with dishonest intentions to get illegal monetary gains/kickbacks/commissions for themselves,” the reference claimed.

The accountability watchdog said the “evidence collected and witnesses recorded speaks volume of unlawful actions/misuse of authority with dishonest/illegal intent on the part of accused persons.”

It further alleged that the accused persons allegedly “received kickbacks and commissions as illegal gains and possessed the crime proceeds into different bank accounts to create a financial layering”.

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Monis Elahi's secretary Suhail Awan and two former government employees, have become pardon witnesses against Parvez Elahi, who last served as Punjab chief minister during the PTI’s rule.

The reference claimed that Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi illegally approved 116 developmental schemes for Gujrat. They later obtained bribes by awarding contracts to favored contractors.

It alleged that Parvez Elahi received over Rs744.5 million as bribes and kickbacks, claiming that Moonis's accountant transferred the ill-gotten gains to the bank accounts of Moonis and his family members.

It claimed that during Parvez Elahi's term as the chief minister, Moonis transferred 1.061 million euros to his foreign bank account. During the same period, Elahi’s family members deposited over Rs304 million in their personal accounts.

The reference stated that during NAB investigation, accused Ashfaq Ahmed requested for a plea bargain of Rs50 million, which Lahore accountability court accepted. It said Moonis Elahi and his accountant Imtiaz Ali have been declared “absconders” by Lahore accountability court.

 “It would be proper and just to proceed further against the accused persons as there is sufficient incriminating material available on record to justify filing of reference against them,” it said.

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After filing the reference, NAB issued a press statement alleging the former CM and his son’s involvement in harming the national exchequer. The statement urged the court to expedite the investigation against the suspects in light of the reference provided by the NAB.

Later Moonis Elahi who is out of the country since December last year took to micro-blogging site X, to reject NAB’s claims by posting the image of a court order.

“Today NAB has issued a press release stating that my father and I are involved in corruption and they have filed a reference against us claiming an amount of Rs744 million.

“Apparently this involves 1 million euros in my account. The million euros are mine along with all funds in our accounts. They have been declared in FBR [Federal Board of Revenue] with source of funds and money trail. Even NAB went to court and gave the following statement clearing us of all charges when they filed an application of 9C,” he added.

Parvez Elahi was arrested in the case in August this year, subsequently being granted bail by the court. Elahi is, presently, confronting several cases, including an FIA money laundering case and allegations of illegal appointments in the Punjab Assembly.