ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has cleared two teachers of corruption and other charges and asked the education ministry to reinstate them, reliable sources told this reporter.

On September 29, 2001, Syed Arif Hussain Shah, Principal, Islamabad College for Boys, G-6/3 and Ms Shamim Humayun, principal, Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2 were removed from their posts and made OSDs on September 29, 2001 on the charges of misusing of their authority, government funds and transport.

Both the teachers were sent to their by the director-general, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), Brig Maqsoodul Hasan and initiated an inquiry against them.

According to reports a special monitoring team after an investigation against the two principals had asked the NAB to take appropriate action against them. The Bureau after an inquiry cleared them of all charges.

The NAB in its letter written to the ministry and other concerned departments said: “The case pointed out by the monitoring team don’t warrant action under NAB Ordinance 1999, therefore both the principals are cleared. However, the ministry of education may take action only if necessary”.

Consequent upon, the federal directorate of education has reinstated them on their previous positions.

Talking to this reporter Mr Shah said, “it was very painful experience both for me and my family since I am serving in the education department for the last 32 years”.

When asked as to what were the factors that prompted the NAB to conduct an inquiry against you, Mr Arif refused to comment and added, “since I have been exonerated from the charges, therefore it is needless to blame some one”.

However, he regretted that “if there were any charges against us it should have been investigated at the ministry level and NAB shouldn’t have been involved”.