Corrupt practices: NAB to file cases against bigwigs

Two references concern tax fraud.

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday decided to file three references against bigwigs, including Usman Ghani, the owner of M/S Usman Textile Mill, for allegedly being involved in corruption of millions of rupees.

The decision was taken at the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of NAB held under the chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry at NAB Headquarters. The references would be filed in the respective Accountability Courts.

In the first case, the accused Usman Ghani in connivance with the officials of Sales Tax Collectorate obtained illegal and fraudulent sales tax refund amounting to Rs48.321 million.

Second reference approved was against Noor Muhammad, owner of M/S Noor Textile Mills. In this case, the accused Noor Muhammad in connivance with the sales tax officials also obtained illegal and fraudulent sales tax refund amounting to Rs49.27 million. The third reference approved was against Dr Shafi Muhammad Zehri, ex-Secretary Health Balochistan, Dr Amjad Ansari, ex-deputy chief planning officer, Dr Abdul Ghaffar Kayani, ex-additional director and Dr Akhtar Hameed, contractor.

The accused persons were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices causing a loss of Rs14 million in the purchase of MRI machine for Bolan Medical College Quetta Balochistan.

“NAB is determined to eradicate corruption throughout the country and is making all-out efforts that all public and private institutions serve the people on merit, without temptation of bribe or greed,” Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said.

He said NAB is committed to eliminating corruption and corrupt practices through fair and transparent investigations and vigorous prosecution in courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2015.