PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has arrested accused Hidayatullah, appraiser, customs dry port, Peshawar, for his alleged involvement in corruption, corrupt practices and misuse of authority, causing a loss of approximately Rs4 billion to the national exchequer.

According to a statement issued here on Thursday, during the course of investigation it was revealed that Hidayatullah, being appraiser at customs dry port, Peshawar, in connivance with other accused persons planned to clear 1,450 pieces of construction machinery illegally.

The accused persons illegally cleared approximately 500 pieces of machinery worth over Rs600 million as assessed by the department whereas market value of the same was over Rs2.8 billion. In this way, so far a loss of over Rs4 billion has been caused to the exchequer, it said. It was stated that two accused persons namely Shahid Akbar, principal appraiser, and Abdul Hadi, appraiser, customs dry port Peshawar, had already been arrested in the instant case. The accused, Hidayatullah, will be produced before the Accountability Court for obtaining his physical custody.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2017