ISLAMABAD - The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched investigations against Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and others for alleged financial misappropriation.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, the executive board of the bureau approved inquiries against political heavyweights including Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as well.

Former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former National Highway Authority chief Shahid Ashraf Tarar, former Evacuee Trust Board Property (ETPB) Chairman Siddiq ul Farooq, and former Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul- Mal Abid Wahed Shaikh would also be investigated as part of the inquiry launched against them in separate cases.

The bureau announced that a reference would also be filed for illegal award of tender regarding the diplomatic shuttle service with accused including former chairman Capital Development Authority Kamran Lashari, Asif Hashmi, Zafar Iqbal and deputy administrator Qasoor Akram Joyia.

Moreover, another reference would also be filed in the accountability court against Ghulam Sarwar Sindhu, Muhammad Hussain, Munir Jilani, Nusrat ullah, formre local government secretary Aurangzeb, Asghar Khan, former XEN Hala division Ashiq Ali as per the communique issued by the accountability watchdog.

During the meeting, NAB chief Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal expressed that corruption was the root cause of all the evils. He vowed to bring corruption cases to a logical conclusion.