ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated an inquiry as to how former Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) and the incumbent Chairman Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) Agha Rafiq Ahmed Khan acquired an official Mercedes on a throwaway price.

The price of the 1800cc Mercedes currently in Mr Khan’s use was reportedly over Rs6 million. But the recently-retired FSC chief justice managed to obtain it for a mere Rs2.5 million without getting the mandatory approval from the Ministry of Law or the Cabinet Division, the custodians of the car.

The law ministry recently asked the FSC to explain how the former chief justice obtained the approval to purchase the official vehicle.

Sources said Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry asked the operation division of the bureau to ascertain whether Mr Khan was entitled to purchase the Mercedes. And in case he was not entitled to, then in whose connivance the FSC administration disposed of the car.

The sources said after the completion of the inquiry, the bureau would adopt further course of action, including conducting an investigation and filing a reference.

When contacted, NAB spokesman Nawazish Ali Asim said Chairman Qamar Chaudhry had taken notice of the matter and sought a report from the division concerned.

Published in Dawn, October 21st , 2014