ISLAMABAD – The National Accountability Bureau has decided to file a reference against former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and his associates for misusing authority in the appointment of Basharat Hussian Bashir as a consultant of Engineering Development Board (EDB).
The directives were issued on Wednesday after a meeting of an executive board of the anti-corruption body.
Besides Aziz, former water and power minister Liaquat Jatoi, former secretary water and power Ismail Qureshi, former additional secretary Muhammad Yousaf Memon, former joint secretary Ghulam Nabi Mangrio, former section officer Umar Farooq, former Alternative EnergyDevelopment Board (AEDB) chairman Air Marshal Shahid Hamid, former secretary EDB Naseem Akhter, former chief executive officer EDB Arif Alauddin, consultant EDB Basharat Hussian Bashir will also be named as accused in the proposed corruption reference.
They have been alleged of inflicting a damage to the tune of Rs 20.1 million to the national exchequer.
Multiple Inquiries
The anti-corruption body also launched investigations against officials of CDA, M/S Park Line State Company and others for illegally occupying the land of the forest department, causing a massive loss to the national kitty.
Moreover, the bureau also launched an inquiry against the administration of Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the bank of Punjab for illegally purchasing shares of the bank worth Rs 3.8 billion.
Additionally, the bureau also launched an inquiry against former chairman Punjab Cooperative Board for Liquidation Mushtaq Anjum and others for misusing authority and transferring land of the department, causing a loss of Rs 53.9 million.
The anti-corruption body also approved inquiry against officials of Lyari Express Way Resettlement project, Karachi for alleged involvement in China cutting, causing a damage of Rs 2792 million.
Syed Nasir Ali Shah, the former lawmaker from Quetta and others have also been alleged of tempering land record, an inquiry against whom has been ordered.
The accountability watchdog also approved launching an inquiry against former assistant to CM Sindh, Pehlaaj Mill, for making assets beyond means.
NAB also decided to launch an investigation against officers of the Sindh Revenue Department for selling state-owned land.
Moreover, the bureau also launched investigation Noor Ahmed Pirkani, former Director General Quetta Development Authority (QDA) and others for misusing authority, causing Rs 66.1 million damage to the national kitty.
Another investigation was launched against officials of Metropolitan Corporation Quetta and others for misusing authority, inflicting a damage of Rs 270 million to the national exchequer.
The accountability watchdog also approved launching a probe into purchasing land for the Multan Metro Bus project, illegally.
An inquiry against acting Managing Director of Multan Waste Management Company, Imran Noor and manager HR, Amir Maqbool and others has also been initiated for misusing authority, causing a loss of Rs 104 million to the national fund.
Inquiries Closed
The national Accountability Watchdog had closed inquiries against Managing Director, National Fertilizer Marketing Limited, Tariq Shafi Khan, General Manager Fakahruz Zaman Ali Cheema and others over lack of evidence.
Moreover, the case against Sohail Umar, former director of Iqbal Academy, and others was also shelved due to lack of evidence.
Plea Bargain Requests
NAB also approved plea-bargain application filed by Saith Nisar for an amount Rs 177 million; the request would be forwarded to the accountability court.
Moreover, another request by director M/S Fateh Textile Mills Limited, Asad Zaheer was approved for an amount Rs 11.9 million. The request would be forwarded to the accountability court.
According to a press release issued by the bureau, the NAB chief expressed that the elimination of corruption without any bias was their priority for which the officials were diligently performing their duties.
For adoption of ‘Accountability for All,’ self-accountability was essential, the spokesperson cited Iqbal as saying, adding that the NAB was committed to weed out corruption in Pakistan without discrimination.
