The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) held on Thursday authorised seven inquires, two investigations besides other important decisions regarding eradication of corruption.
The meeting was chaired by NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry at NAB Headquarters.
The EBM’s first inquiry was authorised against sponsors, directors and management of Capital Vision Securities (Pvt) Ltd, brokers of Pakistan Stock Exchange Ltd and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for cheating public at large. The complaint was received from Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The second inquiry was authorised against Muhammad Tariq Ali, owner of Shell Lubricants Data and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for willful loan default of Rs 52.942 million referred by State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D.
The third inquiry was authorised against officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority in the procurement of petroleum products, thus causing a loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.
The fourth inquiry was authorised against Gian Chand Israni, former provincial minister for Excise and Taxation, Sindh and others. In this case, the accused persons are alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income.
The fifth inquiry was authorised against the officials of Sindh Agriculture Department and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for embezzlement of funds of subsidised Tractor Scheme, causing a loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.
The sixth inquiry was authorised against Ghulam Qadir Palijo, former MPA of Thatta District, Sindh. In this case, the accused person is alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income.
The seventh inquiry was authorised against sponsors, directors and management of Stock Street (Pvt) Ltd, brokers of Pakistan Stock Exchange Ltd and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for cheating public at large. The complaint was received from SECP.
The EBM also decided to authorise investigations. The first investigation was authorised against officials of National Housing Authority, Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) and Universal Enterprises. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for embezzlement of government fund, thus causing a loss of Rs 18.9 million to the national exchequer.
The second investigation was authorised against officials of Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority, corruption and corrupt practices through illegal appointments in the PTB.
The EBM also re-authorised investigation against Sher Azam Khan, former Minister for Labour, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Muhammad Tariq Awan, Secretary Workers Welfare Board and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices in acquisition of land measuring 260 kanals at Mouza Shahi Bala, Peshawar and allegedly receipt of commission/kickbacks, causing a loss of Rs 151.58 million to the national exchequer.
The EBM decided to re-authorize three inquiries. The first inquiry was re-authorised against Sardar Hayat Khan Mandokhel of Exceed (Pvt) Ltd and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for non-payment of land rent of 79 acres, situated in Saidpur Village, Islamabad. This caused a loss of Rs 455.7444 million to the national exchequer.
The second inquiry was re-authorised against officials of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and embezzlement of Abdul Wali Khan University funds in procurement of various items. This caused a huge loss to the national exchequer.
The third inquiry was re-authorised against officials of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and embezzlement of university funds in purchase of vehicles and POL. This caused a loss of Rs 272 million to the national exchequer.
The EBM decided to close two inquiries. The first inquiry against officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and second inquiry against Muhammad Asim Kurd, former Minister for Finance, Balochistan and others with respect to Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) due to lack of incriminating evidence.
Speaking on the occasion, the NAB chairman said that the bureau is committed to eradicate corruption from the country by adopting zero tolerance policy through awareness, prevention and enforcement strategy.
He reiterated NAB’s firm resolve to come up to the expectations of a corruption free Pakistan by using all possible resources. He directed all the officials of NAB to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against the corrupt in accordance with laid down laws of NAB and merit.