KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested on Tuesday an official of the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) who allegedly misappropriated more than Rs6 million through “foul tendering and kickbacks”, said a senior official.

“Naved Alam Zuberi is a senior manager of PSO,” he said. “During internal audit it emerged that he was involved in corrupt practices. During inquiry it was established that he misappropriated Rs6.2 million by way of foul tendering and received kickbacks through bank transactions....”

He said the FIA’s corporate crime circle had registered a case against Mr Zuberi under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Corruption Act, 1947.

He said that Zuberi’s arrest could lead to more revelations.

The arrest came in the wake of detention of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain.

Before arresting Mr Zuberi, the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, had arrested deputy managing director of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSC) Shoaib Warsi for his alleged involvement in funding of militant groups.

“Mr Zuberi’s arrest came after an internal audit report established enough evidence against his corruption and misappropriation as key official of the state-run oil company,” said the official.

“So far it’s not linked to arrests in the recent past in energy companies of the public sector. The investigations are open now and the agency will move forward in line with judicial process and in the light of findings emerging during investigation.”

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2015

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