Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM appears before NAB in Malam Jabba lease case

PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan on Monday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the provincial capital over allegations of misappropriation of land that was leased out in Malam Jabba, Swat for development of ski resorts.

Mehmood was summoned by the anti-graft body for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in a fraud during the last Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the northern province when he was the former provincial minister for sports, culture, tourism and museums.

It was revealed in January this year that the KP government had leased 275 acres of land in the region instead of the original plan of leasing only 17 acres. The KP Forest Department owned the lands that were leased out to a private company for a period of 33 years even though original plans mandated a lease for 15 years. This was deemed to be in violations of rules and regulations.

KP Ehtesab Commission and the inspection team of the KP chief minister had also raised objections against the agreement.

An inquiry was launched into the matter by NAB officials on its chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal’s instructions.