ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau on Friday approved an inquiry against former president retired general Pervez Musharraf for alleged misuse of power and accumulation of assets beyond his known sources of income.

The decision made at the NAB’s executive board meeting, which was presided over by the bureau’s chairman, retired Justice Javed Iqbal, was shared with the media after a thorough verification of complaints.

Interestingly, NAB was formed by the former army chief soon after he came to power in 1999 to introduce a new culture of accountability though he was accused of “misusing” the bureau as a tool for arm-twisting of political opponents. Now when NAB has reportedly become pro-active under the command of incumbent chairman and taking action against politicians and bureaucrats, retired general Musharraf has also come under spotlight.

Usually the bureau initiates proper investigations into allegations when it finds some credible information corroborating the charge during a detailed process of complaints’ verification.

In all, the NAB executive board approved more than a dozen inquiries and investigations into allegations including those stemming out of the Panama Papers.

Decision taken at executive board meeting of anti-graft watchdog

It authorised an inquiry against Federal Housing Minister Akram Khan Durrani, managing director and chief executive officer of Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation Jamil Ahmed Khan, Company Secretary Zafar Yab Khan and others for illegally allotting PHA Foundation’s allocated land for mosques situated at Kurri road, Sector I-12, I-16.

An inquiry was also ordered against the president of the Bank of Punjab, Naeem Uddin Khan, and others for manoeuvring share prices.

An investigation was approved into the allegation of illegally doling out tax refunds against the officers of the federal tax ombudsman, federal board of revenue and others allegedly causing million of rupee losses to the national kitty.

It authorized an inquiry into allegations against former ambassador to Cuba, Kamran Shafi, and others for non-cooperation with NAB.

Another inquiry will be initiated against Chief Mechanical Engineer (C&W) Pakistan Railways Adnan Shafi and others for allegedly buying 1405 Hooper wagons for replacing coal, inflicting Rs168 million losses to national kitty.

NAB authorized filing of a corruption reference against former chairman of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL), Abid Javed Akbar, management of private company FDBIL and others for making investments of over Rs100 million by misusing authority, causing Rs67.056 million loss to the national exchequer.

An inquiry was ordered against the officials of land utilization department of Sindh government for misusing their authority to illegally allot land to private individuals.

Another inquiry was approved against former director general of Pakistan Railways, Ghulam Mohammad Qureshi, for amassing assets beyond means.

The bureau will also launch a probe into the allegations against Jahangir Siddiqui, officers of Sindh Social Relief Fund, and others for allegedly misappropriating the investments of over Rs3 billion in social relief department.

The meeting authorised investigation into the allegation against the management of Abbottabad International Hospital and others for their alleged involvement in cheating people and misuse of authority. While an inquiry was approved against the officers and officials of Provincial Housing Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and others for their alleged involvement in illegal recruitment and misuse of authority.

An inquiry was ordered against the officers and officials of PHA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their involvement in misappropriation of the funds allocated for the construction of a road network in Jalozai Housing Scheme, Nowshera, causing Rs795.6 million loss to the national kitty.

Another inquiry was ordered against Additional Inspector General Police Dr Mujeebur Rehman and others for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of government funds, corruption and having assets beyond their known sources of income.

Similarly, an inquiry will be conducted into the allegation of Rs333.648 million corruption against Larkana Development Authority Chairman Aamir Zaib Jatoi and others. Another inquiry was approved against Sharif Mughairi and other officials of the Sindh irrigation department for their alleged involvement in inflicting Rs501.755 million loss to the national exchequer.

The meeting also authorized an investigation into the allegation of corruption and misappropriation of funds against SEDA director Anwar Ali Sial and others which resulted in Rs1,900 million loss to the national kitty.

Panama Papers cases

While discussing Panama Papers allegations, NAB executive board authorized an inquiry against Habib Waqas, Ilyas Mehraj and the owners of Helinible Limited Bhemas for allegedly indulging in corruption and establishing an offshore company.

Another inquiry was approved against former lawmaker Chaudhry Moonis Elahi and others for their alleged involvement in corruption and creating an offshore company.

The meeting also authorised an investigation into similar allegation against Aleem Khan, Hexium Investments Overseas Limited and others.

Similarly, an inquiry was ordered to probe into the allegations against Abdullah Yousaf and others for their involvement in corruption and creating an offshore company mentioned in Panama Papers.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018