QUETTA: Director General of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Balochistan, retired Major Tariq Mehmood said on Sunday that the suspended secretary finance of Balochistan, Mushtaq Raisani, had been arrested for his involvement in the embezzlement of funds for local governments. Talking to Dawn here, he said NAB had enough evidence against Mushtaq Raisani in the case involving corruption of Rs1.5 billion.

He said the bureau had arrested the suspended secretary despite tremendous pressure from different quarters, including some influential members of the cabinet. However, he added, no pressure would be accepted for those who were involved in corruption. “NAB has zero tolerance for corruption.” He said the investigation circle in the case would be expanded in view of interrogation of the arrested finance secretary because it could pave the way for reaching other people involved in the embezzlement of local governments’ funds.

He said more arrests could not be ruled out in this corruption case. However, he added, the arrests would depend on the availability of evidence. He said all record related to Mushtaq Raisani had been seized. It will be scrutinised because it can provide lead to more officials involved in the corruption case.

He said recovery of money from the suspended secretary’s residence would help investigators collect further evidence against him. During investigation it was found that gross violations were committed in the distribution of local governments’ funds and rules and regulations were ignored, he added.

The director general alleged that during the fiscal year 2014-2015 funds allocated for local governments were spent only in a few constituencies. The funds were directed to only two constituencies in Khaliqabad of Kalat district and Mach of Bolan district.

Answering a question, Mr Mehmood said NAB started investigation against Mushtaq Raisani one year ago on the complaint lodged by people of other areas which had been deprived of local governments’ funds.

Giving details about items found at the residence of the suspended secretary, he said they included Rs650 million worth of currency notes in rupee, US dollar, British pound and Saudi riyal, prize bonds worth millions of rupees and 2kg of gold.

He claimed that the recovered money was the share of Mushtaq Raisani in the embezzled funds. “Currency notes were hidden even in the water tank and the bumper of a vehicle parked in the porch of the house,” he added.

“Investigation would be conducted on merit and those found involved in the case would be brought to justice.”

He said NAB would also investigate the alleged involvement of Mushtaq Raisani in the embezzlement of funds for other development projects.

The director general said around 150 cases of corruption were under investigation in Balohistan. Investigation was in progress against some sitting and former ministers for alleged involvement in corruption cases, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2016