NAB steps up anti-graft drive, targets Punjab govt, HBL, PIA

–NAB executive board authorises investigation into money laundering charges against HBL’s New York branch and head office in Pakistan

 –Decides to approach Interpol for Ishaq Dar’s arrest, order enquiries into Punjab companies’ scam, Multan Metro graft allegations 

ISLAMABAD: In a major decision, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday approved conducting eight enquiries and two investigations into corruption cases, including HBL’s New York branch and HBL head office’s alleged involvement in money laundering and extradition of Ishaq Dar from the United Kingdom through the Interpol.

The extraordinary decision was taken during an executive board meeting of the NAB at its headquarters, with Chairman Javed Iqbal in the chair.

Over the course of the meeting, the NAB board approved the enquiry against HBL’s head office and its New York branch over involvement in money laundering. The bank was recently fined $225 million for involvement in money laundering by the US authorities, as well.

In a bid to bring former finance minister Ishaq Dar to justice, the board decided to issue red warrants and bring Dar back to the country with the help of the Interpol.

Pakistan International Airlines also came under scrutiny for being rife with the corrupt practices. The meeting approved an enquiry to probe the reported corruption of billions of rupees in the aviation sector. The NAB will also look into the misuse of authority by the aviation officials in awarding contracts during the construction of the new Islamabad airport.

The issue of PIA plane, sold to a German museum, was also part of the meeting agenda. It was decided that an enquiry will be launched against civil aviation offcials, including PIA ex-CEO Bernd Hildenbrand, for inflicting Rs 500 million losses to the national kitty and selling the plane to the museum.

The executive board of the anti-graft body also approved an enquiry against 56 illegal public limited companies for squandering billions of rupees of the Punjab government and violating the PPRA rules. Multan Metro Bus Project, recently in media reports over mega-corruption allegations, will also be probed by the anti-graft watchdog for use of funds in violation of PPRA rules.

Moreover, the anti-graft bureau approved an enquiry against Sukkur Irrigation Department Chief Engineer Irshad Ahmed Memon for inflicting financial losses to the national exchequer.

Officials of North Sindh Urban Services Corporation from Larkana, Rohri and Sukkur districts will also face an enquiry over embezzlement of Rs 190 million rupees, while another enquiry will be conducted against Dr Parveen Naeem Shah, the vice chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, for having assets beyond known sources of Income.