Wanted Wapda chief jumps through legal loophole to escape capture

Legal barriers prevent Interpol from handing over Pakistani criminal to NAB.

LAHORE: Blacklisted ex-Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) chief Lieutenant General (R) Zahid Ali Akbar jumped through a legal loophole to escape arrest in Bosnia, Express News reported on Monday.

Lt Gen Akbar is wanted by the the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for embezzling upto Rs270 million.

According to reports, General (R) Zahid Ali was caught by Interpol while attempting to cross the border into Bosnia. However, due to the absence of any extradition treaty or other agreement for the exchange of prisoners between the two countries, he could not be handed over to the Pakistani authorities.

The NAB had placed the accused on their 'wanted' list after charging him for the embezzlement of up to Rs. 270 million during his tenure as WAPDA chairman.