NAB to probe alleged corruption in PIDC, other depts

ISLAMABAD:  National Accountability  Bureau (NAB) Executive Board Meeting (EBM) on Thursday approved the filing of corruption reference against Pakistan Industrial Development  Corporation  (PIDC) chief executive officer (CEO) Khalid Mehmood Chadda for allegedly buying 17 Kanal 6 marla land illegally, causing billions of rupees losses to the national exchequer.

The meeting was chaired by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal.

The Board accorded approval for conducting an enquiry against former Frontier Constabulary Baluchistan (FC) Inspector General Lieutenant Gen Ubaid Ullah Khan owing to his reported involvement in a suspicious transaction.

Another such enquiry to probe suspicious transaction would also be conducted against Brigadier (retd) Asad Shahzada.

The EBM approved yet another enquiry against the officers and officials of Sindh Health Department who are accused of corruption in the illegal purchase of medical equipment, which caused Rs377 million losses to the treasury.

The meeting also approved investigations against Khan Abdul Wali Khan Universit Vice Chancellor Dr Ahsan Ali and officers to probe alleged corruption in the purchase of 161 vehicles and University’s petrol fund, causing a loss of millions of rupee to the national exchequer.

Irrigation Department officials would also be probed for indulging in malpractices and awarding the contracts in an illegal manner.

Another enquiry has also been approved by the Sindh Board of Revenue’s Land Utilisation officers. The Sindh revenue officers are accused of illegally allotting the state land to a housing illegally.

EBM approved inquiry against University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar director and others to probe their alleged involvement in the corruption in the purchase of equipment, which inflicted Rs3200 million losses to the country.

EBM approved an enquiry against Balochistan government’s procurement committee for purchasing a helicopter not according to the market price.

The meeting also approved inquiry against Larkana former DIG and others for having assets worth millions beyond known sources of income.

NAB chairman said that our officers consider the elimination of corruption as their national responsibility. We are trying their utmost to make Pakistan corruption free, he said.

Chairman said the inquiries, investigations and verifications should be concluded within the prescribed period of ten months.

The NAB is strictly pursuing the policy of accountability for all, he concluded.