Misuse of authority: NAB arrests Welfare Board secretary

Arrest made on the allegations of involvement in financial irregularities.

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Tariq Awan, secretary of the provincial Workers Welfare Board, over his alleged involvement in financial irregularities on Friday. According to a NAB official, illegal appointments, shady procurement deals, misuse of scholarships for labourers’ children and gross violations in land acquisition for labourers’ welfare by Awan caused a loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer. Taking cognizance of public complaints, NAB K-P authorised various enquiries against the accused which found the allegations to be true and finally led to his arrest. It is alleged that Awan recruited a number of people through illegal processes and awarded scholarships to non-entitled persons that not only resulted in a huge loss to the state exchequer but also deprived hundreds of deserving candidates. Awan reportedly recruited his close family members and favourites.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2014.