NAB rejects Dawn’s story on ‘embezzlement in construction of NADRA headquarters’

LAHORE - The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has rejected a "baseless and incorrect" news published by daily Dawn about alleged embezzlement of millions of rupees in the construction of National Database Registration Authority (headquarters) Building at Johar Town, Lahore, by the then Director (Administration).

"The story published by a reporter Zulqarnain Tahir titled 'Nadra case closed as NAB finds ‘suspect’ in its own backyard' is totally baseless and without evidence.

The reporter has tried to sensationalize the news which has no merit and relevance with facts," the bureau said, in a clarification letter issued and dispatched to Dawn on Saturday.

 

According to the letter, and "to put the record straight", the project was finalized and launched during the period of Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem, the then Chairman NADRA. All formalities for tendering and contract awarding were completed in his tenure, the letter reads.

After that, the project was completed in the tenure of Mr. Tariq Malik, Chairman NADRA. "Mr. Imtiaz Tajwar, assumed the charge of Acting Chairman NADRA on 13, January 2014 and by then the project had already been completed thus he had no role in its execution or monitoring," it further clarifies.

The bureau has asked the English daily for issuing a proper rebuttal and action against the journalist who has given a "concocted, baseless and mala fide story".