Bureau reveals probe pending against incumbent and former top government office-holders.
ISLAMABAD:
Listing names of current and former top government officials, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Tuesday submitted in the Supreme Court a 35-page report on 150 mega scams.
The report includes cases against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and top politicians and bureaucrats of the country.
Read: High-profile cases: NAB challenges quashing of cases against Nawaz
Last week a three-judge bench of the apex court — headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja — had directed NAB to submit details on the mega scams. Complying with the court’s order, NAB Operations Director-General Syed Khalid Iqbal submitted the report, which details the mega scams divided into three categories: financial scams, land scams and abuse of power.
The report states that since 2000, two investigations are under way against the Sharif brothers on charges of misusing their authority in construction of a road from Raiwind to the Sharifs’ family home, thus misappropriating Rs126 million.
In another matter regarding an illegal appointment in the Federal Investigation Agency, a NAB investigation is under way against the premier since December 18, 1999.
Since February 11, 2000, an investigation is also under way against the finance minister for misusing his authority and to probe his assets worth over Rs23 million, 3.488 pounds and $1.25 billion.
According to the report, probe into 150 mega scams is being carried out in three stages: inquiry, investigation and reference. NAB is conducting 22 inquiries and 13 investigations in financial scams, while 15 references have been filed. Twenty-nine inquiries and 13 investigations are under way in land scams, while eight references have been filed.
In cases of abuse of power, 20 inquiries and 15 investigations are being carried out, while 15 references have been filed.
The NAB report states that a case is under way against ex-president Zardari for possessing assets worth Rs22 billion beyond known sources of income.
Seven investigations are also under way against former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf for misusing his authority in awarding rental power plants’ contracts.
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat and former CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have been under investigation since April 12, 2000 for misusing their authority to amass assets worth Rs2.428 billion, which are beyond their means.
Since October 7, 2000, an investigation is also under way against former interior minister Aftab Khan Sherpao for amassing assets beyond known sources of income.
Last year, an inquiry was also launched against ex-CM Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani for amassing assets worth Rs100 million beyond known sources of income.
A case is also under way against former premier Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani regarding illegal appointment of Tauqir Sadiq as chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.
Read: Accountability courts dispose of most high-profile corruption cases
NAB also launched an inquiry recently against former federal information minister Firdous Ashiq Awan for misusing authority and embezzlement in movable property.
The bureau is also investigating Federal Board of Revenue officials for misusing authority by sanctioning illegal inadmissible sales tax funds on dubious, bogus and flying invoices causing losses of Rs2.5 billion to the exchequer.
In April, an inquiry was initiated against officers of the Rawalpindi Development Authority for misusing authority for irregular award of elevator and platform sliding door for metro bus project.
On June 15, a probe was launched against PM’s adviser Haroon Akhtar Khan and his brother Ghazi Akhtar Khan for suspicious transaction worth Rs700 million.
Prominent industrialist Mian Muhammad Mansha is being investigated for corruption in the sale of the Muslim Commercial Bank.
NAB also revealed that on June 6, an inquiry was initiated against renowned businessman Jahangir Siddiqui for misappropriation of funds of Rs2 billion. Inquiries are also under way against Ayaz Khan Niazi, ex-chairman of the National Insurance Company Limited, for embezzlement worth Rs2 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2015.
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