NAB approves probe against Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of the National Accountability Bureau Wednesday approved holding of inquiry against President PML-N and Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif along with Ex-MNA of the PML-N Baleegur Rehman and ex-Commissioner Bahawalpur Division in alleged allotment of government land.

Besides ordering fresh inquiry against President PML-N Shehbaz Sharif, the Executive Board of the NAB authorized closing inquiries against MNA from Muzaffargarh Makhdoom Zada Syed Basit Ahmed Sultan and others, Directors, CEOs and others of M/s Fatima Group of Companies due to absence of proof as per law.

While the Executive Board of the NAB EBM accorded approval of transferring ongoing inquiries against Dawood Khilji, former deputy commissioner Quetta and others, Minister Services and General Administration, Department Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani, to Anti-Corruption, Balochistan for further proceedings as per law.

The meeting was held with the chair of its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal and was attended by Deputy Chairman NAB Hussain Asghar, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) Syed Asghar Haider, Director General Operations Zahir Shah and other senior officers of NAB in which approval of filing of one corruption reference, five investigations and 11 inquiries.

The Executive Board approved holding of inquiry against President PML-N and Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif along with Ex-MNA of the PML-N Baleegur Rehman and Ex-Commissioner Bahawalpur in alleged allotment of government land. According to sources, President PML-N was accused of transfer and allotment of government land to favourites during his tenure as Chief Minister Punjab.

The Executive Board of the NAB accorded approval of filing of corruption reference against Munir Ahmed, Project Director, Pasni, Fish Harbour Authority and others for abuse of Authority and misappropriation of government funds thus inflicting Rs 412.18 million to national exchequer. The NAB’s Executive Board also authorized five inquiries against various personalities including against Mir Abdul Ghafoor Lehrri, former Minister of Industries and Commerce Department, Baluchistan and others, officials and officers of National Highways Authority (NHA) Khuzdar, officers,officials of Quetta Development Authority (QDA), officers and officials of Federal Land Commission, Land Department, Tehsil Haroonabad,District Bahawalpur nagar and others, officers and officials of Wapda Water Wing,Islamabad, and inquiry against Kacchi Canal is included.

Furthermore, it approved 11 inquiries against various suspects including against former Punjab chief minister, Former MNA, former commissioner Bahawalpur Division and others,officials and officers of Quetta Development Authority and others,Sikandar Imrani, former District Nazim, Nasirabad and others,Ali Ahmed Mengal former secretary C and W Departmentand Quetta others, officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and others, officials and officers of Balochistan Revenue Department and others, Management of Balochistan Development Authority, Aosta Muhammad,Jaffarabad District and others, Management of Forest Department,Jhal Magsi , Jaffarabad District, Qaiser Shabbir, Faisal Shabbir,Directors messers Shuja Abad Oil Mills, M/s Shabbir Feed Mills and Shuja Abad Weaving Mills and others, Vice Chancellor Khawaja Farid University,Rahim Yar Khan and others and inquiry against Administrator, Commissioner, Metropolitan Corporation, Multan and others.

The NAB’s Executive Board also approved transferring ongoing inquiries against Dawood Khilji, former deputy commissioner Quetta and others,Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani, Minister Services and General Administration,Department Balochistan to Anti Corruption, Balochistan for further proceedings as per law.

The Board also authorized closing inquiries against Makhdoom Zada Syed Basit Ahmed Sultan, Member National Assembly from Muzaffargarh and others, Directors, CEOs and others of M/s Fatima Group of Companies due to absence of evidence.

Speaking in the meeting, Chairman NAB Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said that taking mega corruption cases especially sugar, money laundering, fake accounts, abuse of authority, assets beyond known sources of income, illegal housing societies, modarba to logical conclusion is priority of bureau. He said the NAB has recovered record Rs 533 billion directly and indirectly from corrupt elements in last three years.

Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal said that bureaucracy is like the backbone of the country as it has very important role in country’s progress and prosperity. “The Bureau acknowledges the meritorious services of bureaucracy,” he said.

He said there are about 1,273 references under trial in accountability courts currently and their approximately worth is Rs1300 billion. He said the respective Accountability Court accord the final approval of plea bargain request of the accused. In the respected Accountability Court, the accused admits his guilt before the respected Accountability Court.

He said since inception, NAB has recovered Rs 814 billion directly or indirectly from the corrupt. He said the NAB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to oversee China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects being completed in Pakistan.