NAB arrests two senior govt officers over corruption charges

Published May 18, 2016
MOFA director Shafqat Ali Cheema behind bars. ─photo by author
MOFA director Shafqat Ali Cheema behind bars. ─photo by author

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday arrested its own officer in Karachi and a director of foreign ministry in Rawalpindi over suspicion of corruption.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director Shafqat Ali Cheema was arrested by NAB Rawalpindi over suspicion of involvement in human trafficking and corruption, as he allegedly owns assets beyond his income.

According to a statement released by NAB, the authority initiated a general search of assets in the name of Cheema and his family members.

"A search of subject's bank accounts, along with his Cable Business Company was carried out which showed heavy turnover. Salary and service record was also received from concerned quarters by NAB Rawalpindi," read the statement.

Cheema will be be produced before the accountability court in Islamabad on May 18 where the authority will seek his 14-day physical remand from court under NAB Ordinance 1999.

In another similar operation, NAB arrested its own officer in Karachi for "taking illegal gratification in an under-investigation case".

NAB statement regarding Kamran Ali Janvari's arrest. ─photo by author
NAB statement regarding Kamran Ali Janvari's arrest. ─photo by author

According to NAB spokesperson, the anti-graft body was investigating a case of embezzlement of funds related to corruption in taluka municipal administration Chachro, Tharparkar district.

During the course of investigation, NAB Assistant Director Kamran Ali Janvari contacted a government officer, threatened him and demanded bribe from him.

The government officer succumbed to Kamran Ali's demands and gave him the money, but also contacted NAB Karachi's director general and apprised him about the incident.

The NAB DG ordered immediate arrest of the officer.

The statement issued by NAB Karachi says that the bribe money allegedly taken by the NAB officer was also recovered from his custody.

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