October 23, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 10, 1428

PESHAWAR, Oct 22: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested one of its own assistant directors, Saqib Farooq, on charges of corruption and misuse of authority, according to a press release issued here on Monday.

The accused had allegedly committed the crime of blackmailing and extorting money from a senior officer of the NWFP government.

Saqib Farooq approached the officer in question and demanded a sum of Rs1.5 million in return for helping him in a case that did not exist. He had used the services of a government servant, Samiullah, and another person Shahzad in his blackmailing plot.

The two have already been arrested.

The accused has been sent to prison after completion of investigations against him.

A NAB spokesperson said the bureau had developed an effective internal accountability system and priority was accorded to allegations of corruption against NAB officials.—APP