QUETTA: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has taken into custody a senior official of the education department and a contractor for alleged misappropriation of government funds.

NAB officials said on Monday they had filed a reference about embezzlement of Rs400 million released to the Directorate of Education Balochistan for procurement of furniture, scientific equipment, and reading, writing and other material.

“On suo motu notice of Director General NAB Balochistan, investigations into the matter revealed that Director Nizamuddin Mengal in connivance with Additional Director Irfan Mohammad Khan and contractor Shabbir Ahmed, proprietor of Lashar Traders Quetta, misappropriated government funds on a large scale,” they said. Mr Mengal and Mr Ahmed were taken into custody.

They said that the scope of investigation had been expanded on the basis of information provided to NAB officials by the two suspects.

Officials said that a challan for embezzlement of over 10 million had been filed with the court against the suspects.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd , 2014