Corruption charges: NAB to probe Azam Hoti, Firdous Ashiq Awan, three others for graft

Awan has been accused of allegedly detaining 12 government buses for her private use and illegal appointments DRAP

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday authorised five inquiries in high profile cases on graft charges.

According to NAB officials, the decision was taken in a high level Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of the accountability body chaired by chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry on Monday.

The first inquiry was authorised against former Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan for allegedly deploying 12 government buses for her private use and orchestrated illegal appointments in Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

The second inquiry was authorised against former Federal Communications Minister and Senator Azam Khan Hoti along with his wife Humera Kash Azam and others. The accused have been accused of illegal banking transactions and corruption of Rs128 million.

Third inquiry was authorised against MNA Rana Muhammad Ishaq and others for allegedly embezzling and misappropriating Rs500 million from Tehsil Pattoki council funds.

The board also authorised an inquiry against a former MPA Qasim Zia, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Director Ali Usman, Director Khalid Anwar and Director Rana Zahid of Stock Brokerage Pvt Ltd. They have been accused of allegedly cheating the public at large and misappropriation of Rs107.7 million received from general public in the name of stocks.

The last inquiry authorised by NAB on Monday was against former secretary housing Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Zaki Ullah, who is currently OSD for allegedly accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.

The Executive Board has also authorised a Complaint Verification (CV) against former Provincial Minister from Balochistan Maulana Abdul Wasay, NAB officials added.