The British embassy in Bosnia is said to be providing legal help to an influential Pakistani fugitive wanted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to wriggle him out of his current trouble.
According to local media reports, corruption suspect and former chairman of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen (r) Zahid Ali Akbar was detained by Interpol earlier this month at the request of NAB. The retired general is now being provided consular services by the UK embassy there.
Sources revealed that the UK embassy in Bosnia is assisting Akbar, who is wanted by NAB for owning assets worth Rs268 million, much beyond his known sources of income, with legal aid in order to get him deported to the UK.
“His deportation to UK will save him from extradition to Pakistan where he is facing corruption charges,” a NAB official requesting anonymity said.
The former WAPDA chief, who is a dual national and also holds the citizenship of UK, was accused of owning assets beyond his means to the tune of Rs 267.61 million during his tenure besides inflicting heavy losses to the public exchequer by his alleged corruption.
The ex-military man and head of the WAPDA evaded arrest by NAB and fled abroad. After three months of investigation, NAB officials traced him to Bosnia where he was detained by Bosnian authorities with the help of Interpol on May 9.
Sources revealed that through interior ministry NAB had sent an extradition paper to Bosnian authorities requesting them to deport Akbar to Pakistan. The Pakistani government has requested its Bosnian counterpart to extend Akbar’s detention period from 18 to 40 days so that suitable arrangements can be made.
The NAB official said the UK embassy in Bosnia came into action after Akbar’s wife recently arrived in Bosnia to his aid. “She has also launched a media campaign in Bosnia to prove her husband’s innocence and gain sympathies of local and British authorities,” the official added.
NAB authorities fear they might lose Akbar’s custody if he is deported to UK and not to Pakistan. Authorities feel that getting him deported from the UK would be a tougher job as he is also a UK national.
A corruption reference against Akbar was filed by NAB in the Accountability Court in July 2006. After his escape, the court declared the former WAPDA chief as proclaimed offender in 2007. Since then, he has been on the run.
Bravo, please track down and hunt the buggers, they are many. Some fleeing and many more still fleecing. WAPDA like umpteen other government organizations, quasi or otherwise, is typically full of holes and all these buggers are sucking it like vampires. No matter what and how much you put in to correct the situation it will very easily flow through those holes and feed these buggers. Its vital to sew the system first and then let the corrective money in, otherwise all the billions will go waste as it has happened over last 60 years.
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