NAB recovers Rs8.14m from ex-PARC employee

RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs 8,143,900 from Muzaffar Nishat, former employee of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) on account of corrupt practices.

PARC Chairman Dr Yusuf Zafar received a cheque of Rs 8,143,900/- in favour of the council from NAB Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Naeem Mangi. Nishat, a former scientific officer/assistant director at PARC, was accused of the offence of corruption and corrupt practices as defined under the provisions of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999.

In case of inquiry against the government functionaries and others regarding corruption/corrupt practices and misuse of authority reference against the state vs Dr CM Anwar & others, the accused was deliberately avoiding appearing before the court and absconded. Therefore, he was declared as the proclaimed offender.

The red notice bearing control number A-1684/8-2007 was issued against subject accused. Consequent upon a report by NCB-Interpol, Muzaffar Nishat was arrested on his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in January 2018 by the NAB investigation team under the supervision of an assistant director.

Being a member of the purchase committee, Nishat violated rules by recommending advance payments to dealers. The payments were made without any guarantee which was approved by then PARC chairman (accused CM Anwar Khan). Subsequently, the purchase of vehicles was made and about Rs 9.7 million have been misappropriated in shape of exorbitant rates and fraudulent transfer from PARC’s account to the Alpha Motors & Wings Motors.