Assets beyond sources: Shujaat, Elahi to face NAB inquiries

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board (EB) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday authorised three investigations against former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

The NAB EB also authorised two inquiries against ex-foreign minister and sitting MNA of PPP Hina Rabbani Khar and her father Ghulam Rabbani Khar in a case of accumulating assets beyond known sources of income and also against Evacuee Trust Board (EPTB) ex-chairman. The NAB Executive Board in its meeting here on Thursday with Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal authorised 15 inquiries, seven investigations and filing of three corruption references.

The NAB clarified that the details of the decisions taken in the Executive Board meeting were shared as a routine and it is not aimed at hurting the self-respect of anyone and all inquiries and investigations are being authorised on the basis of allegations which are not final.

The NAB spokesman said the NAB decides the proceedings on such cases after ascertaining the veracity of accusations by hearing the complainants and accused persons as per law. The NAB EB also accorded the approval to close inquiries against officers of DHA, AKD (Aqeel Karim Dhedhi) Real Estate and others owing to absence of concrete evidence.

The sources said the investigation against Ch Pervaiz Elahi was being made on his tenure as a provincial minister for local bodies in '80s for misusing his power for making 38 appointments, while the investigation against Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain pertained to accumulating assets beyond known sources of income. The inquiry against senior leader of the PML-N Evacuee Trust Property Board ex-chairman Siddiqueul Farooq was authorised for illegally allotting the land of ETPB on lease and illegal appointments in the ETPB. The NAB EB also decided to file a corruption reference against Capital Development Authority (CDA) ex-chairman Kamran Lashari, CDA ex-director Planning Sarwar Sindhu, CDA ex-director Land Survey Division Muneer Jilani, managing director of M/s Diplomatic Shuttle and Transport Service Muhammad Hussnain, CDA ex-member Planning and Development Nusratullah, and other officials of the CDA for misuse of authority to award a contract and licence of Diplomatic Shuttle service that caused a loss of Rs408.32 million to national exchequer.

The NAB EB also authorised the investigation against M/s TMK Sugar Mills Karachi, officials and administration of the KPT officers Cooperating Housing Authority, ex-chief secretary of Special Education Noor Muhammad Leghari, Principal Secretary to Secretary Special Education Muhammad Ali Khaskheli, officials of Balochistan Development Authority. The NAB EB also authorised inquiries against ex-secretary Communication and ex-chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) Shahid Ashraf Tarar and others for giving benefits to the contractor in a project, ex-managing director Bait-ul-Maal Barrister Sheikh Abid Waheed, against the chief executive officer, administrator and officials of the Faisal Cantonment Board, Karachi, officials of the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials of the circle department of Irrigation Bahi Khan Lakho and Saifullah Magsi, chief engineer and ex-Xen and administrative of municipal committee Rohri.

The EB also authorised filing of corruption references against Aurangzeb, former secretary Local Government Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Asghar Khan, former deputy project director CDWA, chief executive officers/directors of Messers Ideal Hydrotech Systems, Pakistan Private Limited. The accused were allegedly involved in misappropriating funds allocated for Clean Drinking Water for All which caused Rs195.043 million losses to national kitty. The NAB EB authorised filing of corruption reference against Ashiq Ali Lakhan, former Xen, Hala Division, Irrigation Department and others for alleged abuse of authority and misappropriation of government’s funds inflicting Rs30.9846 million to the national kitty.

The NAB EB accorded approval to close inquiries against officers/officials of DHA, AKD Real Estate and others, Muhammad Sharif Mugheri, Xen, Irrigation Department, Jacobabad and other owing to absence of evidence as per law. The NAB EB also authorised closing investigations against directors and others of M/ST and N Pakistan, Private Limited, Faisalabad owing to absence of concrete evidence.

The NAB EB approved transfer of inquiries of officers and officials of Fata Health Directorate and others to Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for further appropriate legal proceedings as per law. The EB also approved transfer of inquiry against Lubna Salahuddin, former chief inspector Stamps, Board of Revenue, officers of government of Sindh and Messers China International Water and Electric Corporation and others to the Sindh chief secretary for further legal action against them as per law.

The EB also authorised transferring of cases of ETPB ex-chairman Asif Hashmi, private secretary Zafar Iqbal, deputy administrator, Kasur Akram Joia and others to Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs for further legal proceedings as per law. The NAB EB rejected the request of former secretary Ministry of Water and Power Shahid Rafi to transfer his corruption reference from Quetta to Islamabad for being unlawful.

While addressing the meeting, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said corruption is the root cause of all ills being confronted by the country. He said the NAB is pursuing the policy of zero tolerance against corruption and NAB's priority is to bring corruption cases to the logical conclusion. NAB is sticking to the policy of accountability for all. Iqbal directed the conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations in light of law by ensuring merit, transparency after collecting concrete evidence. NAB’s first and last affiliation is with Pakistan. “The NAB officers are performing their duties on merit by ensuring transparency following law,” he said.