Checks and balances: NAB set to initiate proceedings against former Balochistan minister

Board authorises investigation against Kakar for embezzling millions

LAHORE:
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to start an investigation against former Balochistan food minister Asfandyar Kakar and former Chaman provincial reserve centre in-charge Haseen Khan Afridi among others for corruption.   

The decision was taken in a meeting of the bureau’s executive board at the NAB headquarters. Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry chaired the meeting. Officials said the board had authorised an investigation against Kakar and Afridi for embezzling Rs293 million by misappropriating 100,387 bags of wheat.  They said an investigation had been authorised against former Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) chairman Mueen Aftab and former PSM commercial director Sameen Asghar for abusing authority.  They have also been accused of causing a loss of Rs188 million to the national exchequer by purchasing iron-ore at inflated prices. Officials said an investigation had been authorised against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department officials for causing a loss of Rs11.4 million to the exchequer by purchasing substandard fixtures and fittings for Upper Dir district headquarters hospital at inflated prices.


They said the board had also authorised complaint verification against Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies director general Khalid Aslam.  Officials said complaint verification against Kohat Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Khan Muhammad Khalil due to lack of evidence. They said three inquiries against Saadullah Khan and Brothers Private Limited, former Peshawar Electric Supply Company chairman Abdul Latif Khan and former Quetta district nazim Abdul Rahim Kakar due to lack of evidence.

Chaudhry directed officials to complete pending cases and take action against those guilty of corruption.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.

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