K & P

Accusations of corruption: Ex-CM’s relative remanded for 10 more days in weapons scam

Raza in custody for alleged involvement in Rs7b purchase deal.

Our Correspondent January 21, 2014

They said during investigation in the previous remand, it was revealed that the government had given a tender to a Karachi-based weapons company, which the accused had played a vital role in. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

PESHAWAR:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has obtained a further 10-day remand of Raza Ali Khan for his alleged involvement in a weapons procurement scam worth Rs7 billion.

Raza Ali is the brother-in-law of former chief minister (CM) Haider Hoti’s brother, Ghazan Hoti. The accused was produced before the court of Wilayat Ali Khan to extend his previous remand, granted on January 7 for 14 days, under tight security.

Special Prosecutor Lajbar Khan and Investigation Officer Inayat Khan told the court that the accused had exchanged some emails with the main contractor of the weapons, Arshad Majeed, which needs to be investigated further. They said during investigation in the previous remand, it was revealed that the government had given a tender to a Karachi-based weapons company, which the accused had played a vital role in.

“When the accused received kickbacks in the procurement of the weapons and other equipment, he frequently visited Dubai in July 2010, which needs to be further investigated. If the accused does not give us the password of his email account, we will seek the help of the Federal Investigation Agency on the matter,” said Lajbar.

NAB has accused Raza Ali Khan of embezzling Rs3 million for himself, and Rs195 million for Ghazan Hoti, brother of Haider Hoti. He has been accused as the frontman in the contract, even staying in the CM House at the time.

The amount was received from the main contractor, Arshad Majeed, and later paid to other influential people so as to ensure its approval and avoid legal problems. According to NAB officials, many other influential people will soon be arrested in the case.

After hearing the arguments, the court granted a further 10-day remand to the accused and ordered that he be produced on January 31.

Raza Ali Khan, along with former CM adviser Niaz Ali Shah, was arrested on January 6 and granted a 14-day remand the next day. The latter voluntarily paid Rs20 million, after which he was released.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2014.