Reports of another inquiry against former generals are false: ISPR

RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) - Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) has strongly dismissed media reports claiming that a corruption inquiry was underway against two former corps commanders of Pakistan Army.

Earlier, the media reported that Lt-General (Retd.) Sajjad Ghani and Lt-General Naveed Zaman, who served as corps commanders of Karachi and Lahore respectively, had been given a clear message by military brass to immediately return all the money they had allegedly embezzled during their tenure.

"Sajjad Ghani has been directed to return Rs2.80 billion to public exchequer," the reports said while adding that both of the former officials have been accused of taking unfair benefits from Defence Housing Authority’s (DHA) projects in Lahore and Karachi and inquiries into the alleged corruption case were ordered some four years ago.

Daily Pakistan Global ran a similar story earlier, headlined "Two former corps commanders may also come under fire over corruption", based on reports broadcast by news channels. However the latest update from Pakistan Army's media wing suggests that these reports are false.

DG ISPR Lt-General Asim Saleem Bajwa  clarified that no inquiry was underway against the two former generals, and that everything circulating in media except what he has confirmed is a rumour. DG ISPR also confirmed that six top military officials had been dismissed from service after corruption charges were proven against them.

On the occasion, he also said that army has a dedicated anti-corruption branch to investigate such cases and it presents reports to the chief of the army staff, who takes the required action against military officials.

Lt-General (Retd.) Naveed Zaman, who was initially identified as one dismissed officials, is considered to be a close business partner of brother of former Chief of Army Staff Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, Kamran Kiyani.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is investigating Mr Kiyani for charges similar to those leveled against the aforementioned Corps Commanders.  According to unconfirmed media reports, the bureau has also been pushing for the issuance of red warrants against the brother of former army chief so that he may be extradited to Pakistan for trial.