The arrest of the contractor of Orange Train project by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reportedly angered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who on Tuesday lashed out at the accountability watchdog, a local news agency Online has claimed.
The news agency citing NAB sources said that NAB Lahore had arrested Amir Latif, the contractor whose construction company Kalson Private Limited is currently working on Orange Line Metro Train project as a Joint Venture Project (JVP).
The NAB officials arrested Amir Latif on charges of fake payments in another project, the NAB sources said.
The sources revealed that severe pressure was being mounted for the immediate release of Amir Latif but investigation was being conducted into his crimes in the interest of the nation. They said that had sought physical remand of the accused. Additionally, NAB has also started to investigate the construction of Raiwind road.
The provincial chapter of NAB has expedited operations against elements allegedly involved in corruption across the province. NAB has made it compulsory to submit the details of all the contracts and projects worth over Rs 500 million to NAB office.
NAB has uploaded a form on its website in this regard and it has been made compulsory for all government institutions to submit it in NAB’s office before awarding any development project.
On the other hand, NAB has also arrested five people allegedly involved in the embezzlement of Rs 850 million.
Meanwhile, NAB’s officials had to complete the inquiry of cases pending against PM Sharif by December 31, 2015. The new deadline for the completion of the inquiry, the sources claimed, has been set for March 31.
Sources said that the Punjab government had expressed dissatisfaction over NAB’s demand of submitting details of all the development projects worth over Rs 500 million, while PM Sharif had categorically warned that stern action would be taken if NAB did not reform itself.
After the statement of the PM against NAB, a high-level meeting is likely to be convened soon with NAB Chief Chaudhry Qamar Zaman in the chair to review the situation in Punjab.
