LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore, has arrested two accused — Ghulam Bashir Bughio and Shamim Ahmed Bughio — over allegation of getting illegal gratification from the former vice chancellor of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), Dr Zafar Iqbal.

According to NAB spokesman, a NAB team caught the two from Karachi.

Ghulam Bashir Bughio was attached with FUUAST as director protocol to the former vice chancellor, whereas his son Shamim Ahmad Bughio proprietor of Shahid Wood and Steel.

The accused took Rs2.5 million and Rs5 million, respectively, as illegal gratification from former VC Dr Zafar Iqbal.

The transactions were confirmed by the record available with the NAB.

As per bank record, an amount of Rs7.1 million was withdrawn out of total credited amount of Rs7.5 million.

The NAB had earlier arrested three accused —Dr Zafar Iqbal, Dr Fahimuddin, ex-registrar, and Naeem Amjad, the acclaimed director of FUUAST sub-campus in Lahore.

They were released on bail by the Lahore High Court in May this year.

Our Staff Reporter adds: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested a bank defaulter here on Thursday.

According to the NAB, Sohail Ikhlaq acquired a loan amounting to Rs30 million from a private bank by pledging his two properties, but he fraudulently sold these properties.

The bank approached the NAB in 2010 for the recovery of default money. An inquiry was initiated by the bureau and subsequently it filed a corruption reference in the accountability court in 2014.

Sohail Ikhlaq was declared a proclaimed offender in 2015.

The NAB Intelligence Wing raided his whereabouts in DHA Lahore on Thursday and arrested him.

Meanwhile, the NAB also arrested the protocol officer of the Federal Urdu University in a corruption reference.

Suspect Ghulam Bashir has been arrested along with his son, Shamim Ahmad, for illegal transfer of Rs7.5 million of the scam money.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2017