Formal inquiry likely: Blue passport scandal on NAB agenda today

The bureau has completed initial inquiry into the case.

LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has finalised its preliminary inquiry into the issuance of more than 2,000 blue passports to unauthorised persons during the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government, The Express Tribune has learnt.

According to agenda item prepared for Executive Board Meeting (EMB) scheduled for today (Monday), NAB acting chairman will authorise a formal inquiry into the scandal, sources familiar with the matter revealed.



Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on October 5 had given directive for cancellation of more than 2,000 blue passports issued in violation of rules during the rule of PPP government.

Sources in NAB familiar with the preliminary inquiry proceedings said the blue passports could be issued to entitled persons only and that there could be no relaxation of rules in this regard.

They added that NAB had already gathered most of the record regarding issuance of blue passports to the unauthorised persons, while the remaining record would be sought during the course of formal inquiry.

NAB’s mandate

The NAB team will determine the role of the concerned officials of Ministry of Interior and the passport office(s). It will also fix responsibility of each individual, political dignitary, government official, agent or private person, said sources in NAB.

NAB would also proceed against government officials, who had issued fake documents to the private persons by showing them government officials after receiving hefty sums of money as bribe.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2013.