NAB authorises inquiries against Fawad Hasan Fawad, Ishaq Dar

–Anti-graft body approves inquiry against Fawad for alleged abuse of authority

–Ishaq Dar comes under NAB’s radar for allegedly causing heavy losses to the national kitty

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has authorised to conduct inquiries against Fawad Hassan Fawad, the former principal secretary to deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar over the alleged financial irregularities.

An Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of the anti-graft body was chaired by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Friday in which various decisions were taken.

The EBM approved an inquiry against Fawad for allegedly causing heavy losses to the national exchequer, abusing his authority and involvement in corruption practices.

Also, the meeting approved to conduct another inquiry against former finance minister Ishaq Dar, ex-minister for information technology Anusha Rahman, former PTA Chairman Dr Ismael Shah and others. They have been alleged of awarding a contract to NGMS, causing heavy losses to the national kitty.

‘NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY’:

Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said that the NAB not only considered the elimination of corruption as its national responsibility but made sincere efforts to make the country corruption-free.

He directed to conclude the verification of complaints, inquiries, and investigations within a stipulated time frame and that too in the light of relevant law and on the basis of concrete evidence.

He said NAB was strictly pursuing the policy of ‘accountability for all’. “The first and last affiliation of NAB is with Pakistan and its people,” he remarked.

According to the NAB, the bureau “wanted to [make it] clear that all complaint verifications, inquiries, and investigations are conducted against the accused over their alleged involvement in corruption cases inflicting multi-billion-rupee losses to the national exchequer”.

It said that the bureau “would proceed ahead only after giving ample opportunity to the accused persons to defend allegations against them and to prove their innocence” while “such inquiries and investigations must not be considered as final”.

OTHER AUTHORISED INQUIRIES:

The EBM authorised conducting another inquiry against officers, officials and others of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) over the complaints of corruption and abuse of authority.

The EBM authorised inquiry against the government officials involved in the payment of circular debt amounting to Rs480 billion in 2013 in violation of rules. It authorised conducting an inquiry against the owners, directors, and officials of Azgard Nine and Agriteck limited. The EBM has approved conducting investigations against Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Managing Director Liaquat Durrani and others. They have been accused of illegally investing over Rs100 million by abusing their authority.

The EBM authorised conducting an inquiry against the management of Neelam-Jhelum project for the alleged misuse of authority and corruption. The meeting authorised conducting an inquiry against the former head of the cardiology department in Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex Lahore Dr Ajmal Hassan Naqvi and others for abuse of authority and involvement in corruption.

The EBM approved conducting an inquiry against Overseas Pakistanis Commissioner Afzal Bhatti and others on allegations of making alleged illegal appointments and getting salaries fringe benefits. The EBM authorised conducting an inquiry against Punjab government and officers of Punjab Institute of Cardiology for their involvement in alleged corruption. The bureau authorised conducting another inquiry against Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, former Punjab Anti-Corruption Director General and others for denying cooperation to NAB in performing official duties.

The bureau also authorised conducting an inquiry against Director General Anti-Corruption Punjab, Anti-Corruption Sahiwal Director General, C and W Secretary, Xen SDO building, public health department, irrigation department, local government department and others on the complaints of their involvement in corruption.

The EBM authorised conducting inquiry against officers and officials of Northern Power Plant Gujranwala and others on receiving complaints of corruption.

The The EBM authorised conducting another inquiry against former Chief Financial Officer Punjab Power Development Company Limited, Lahore Akram Naveed, former Director Finance Era, Islamabad, Former Director Finance PHA Lahore and others. They have been accused of abusing authority and involvement in corruption causing heavy losses to the national exchequer.

The anti-graft body has listed a number of new inquiries which are given below:

The EBM authorised conducting an inquiry against former Lok Virsa director Aksi Mufti, Senator Robina Khalid, Messer Cosmos Private Limited, and others. They have been accused of abusing their authority and awarding contracts to favourite companies illegally.

The EBM approved conducting an inquiry against the owners of Messrs Eaz Garden Limited, Agri tech and others on receiving complaints of their alleged corruption.

The EBM authorised conducting an inquiry against officers/ officials of the Civil Aviation Authority for buying airplane equipment from favourite companies in abuse of authority which caused heavy losses to the national kitty.

The EBM authorised conducting an inquiry against the officers/officials of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, land suppliers, builders and others for corruption in development work of OPF Housing Society.

The EBM authorised inquiry against Sultan Gul, and others for their involvement in cheating public at large and involvement in corruption.

The EBM authorised inquiry against Pakistanis, Overseas Pakistanis and investors for illegal transactions and money laundering and making assets of Rs 1.1 trillion in Dubai.

The EBM authorised another inquiry against the management of Chin One Builders Private Limited and others for cheating simple people.

The EBM approved investigations against Bahria Town Limited and others for allegedly occupying the land of new Murree Development Project.

The EBM approved another inquiry against former Balochistan provincial minister Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Public Health Engineering, Balochistan government and others. The EBM approved conducting yet another inquiry against alleged complaints of corruption of Saqib Ahmed Soomro PCS Officer Government of Sindh.

The EBM authorised another inquiry against corruption complaints of Muhammad Sharif Malik, Kashmore food department and others.