NAB ends corruption inquires against Syed Khursheed Shah

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to end all corruption-related inquires against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior minister Syed Khursheed Shah, officials said.

Currently working as Religious Affairs Minister, Shah was under investigation for two corruption cases since 2002-03, on the orders of Pervez Musharraf’s government.

The NAB spokesperson also confirmed the move, saying that “all inquiries against Shah were dropped due to lack of evidence.” A communique in this regard has also been issued.

The bureau also dropped cases related to embezzlement against another former lawmaker, Ghulamuddin from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The decision to end inquires was taken during an executive board meeting, presided by NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari.

Other cases against former civil servants Sikandar Ali Lakhair, Fakhar Karim Siddiqui and Muhammad Sadiq Majid were also dropped.

Meanwhile, the NAB also rejected a plea bargain request by former SE Wapda Muhammad Rashid Khan and directed NAB Punjab to make a fair assessment of his assets within two weeks time, to facilitate the process of making the final decision based on merit. It is pertinent to mention that Khan owned more than 1100 kanals of agriculture land, 45 plots and flats in different parts of Lahore.

The NAB meeting also rejected the voluntary return request by former District Coordination Officer DI Khan Syed Mohsin Shah and offered him plea a bargain to settle the case of misuse of authority.

The NAB board further decided to close investigation against Chief Controller of Stores, Khalid Mohiuddin, General Manager Pakistan Railways Saeed Akhtar and former Secretary Pakistan Railways Sami Khilji.

The board meeting was informed about the progress report related to the realisation of investments, made by the affectees in the Qasre Zauq case and was told that the market price of the property will be determined immediately. A receiver is also likely to be appointed by the Lahore High Court who would look after the interest of the investors to ensure safe return of their investments to them, the board was told. The NAB chairman further directed that the issue has to be settled expeditiously as investors should be returned their their hard earned money.