PESHAWAR, Jan 24: An additional secretary of physical planning and housing department, Akbar Khan Marwat, was found guilty of corruption by an accountability court here on Thursday and was sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment, fined Rs3.84 million along with confiscation of properties worth Rs5.47 million.

The court, presided over by Attaullah Khan, pronounced that it was proved that the accused possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income which was a crime under section 9 of the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance, 1999.

The properties confiscated by the court are: two plots of one kanal each worth Rs0.4 million in Sui Northern Cooperative Society Lahore; two plots worth Rs1.05 million and Rs0.7 million respectively in Multi Professional Cooperative Society, Islamabad; property in Malakandher, district Peshawar, measuring 4 kanals-11 marlas worth Rs2.22 million; and one motor car worth Rs 0.7 million, registered in the name of Idrees Akbar.

The court ordered that if the convict failed to pay the fine within one month of the judgment, it should be recovered from his properties. The convict also stand disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.

After the judgment was pronounced, Mr Marwat told the newsmen that he would file an appeal before the high court.

He blamed the investigation officer, Enayat Khan of conducting faulty investigation and said that he acted against him on behest of his rivals.

Advocate Abdus Sattar Khan appeared for the defence and special prosecutor Liaqat Ali Shah represented NAB.

The convict was an additional secretary, physical planning and housing department, NWFP, at the time of his arrest on Sept 8, 2000. During his career he had served on various positions following his induction as tehsildar in 1967.

He remained in NAB custody for a period of 72 days on remand. The reference was filed against him under section 18(g) of the NAB Ordinance on Nov 22, 2000.