Calling ex-ministers: Investigation against ministers in final phase, says NAB

NAB states references would be filed against them in Accountability Court.

QUETTA:

The Director General (DG) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Balochistan, Syed Khalid Iqbal said on Monday that the investigation against 15 former ministers for alleged corruption is in its final phase, references would be filed against them in Accountability Court.

Iqbal made this statement following a seminar held in collaboration with NAB for the eradication of corruption. He said that NAB would not come under pressure from any quarters in the line of its duty. When asked about the names of the 15 former ministers, he declined, saying that it is not appropriate to disclose the names at this stage. He also said that since Balochistan is a tribal society, many people avoid coming to the fore despite having evidence against those indulging in corrupt practices, a trend which creates hindrances for NAB to present evidence in court.

He said that bureaucrats and politicians are jointly involved in corruption and that the province can progress if this practice is stopped.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2013.