KARACHI: A senior official of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation who also worked as a member of the media wing of unified Muttahida Qaumi Movement was arrested by National Accountability Bureau on Wednesday for alleged illegal sale of over 200 acres of precious land in the metropolis, which caused huge financial losses to the national exchequer.

“NAB Karachi arrested Saif Abbas, former director land KDA (currently serving as director sports and culture KMC), who was wanted in an investigation pertaining to illegal sale and lease of 300 plots comprising 265 acres of precious state land,” added a NAB spokesperson. He was arrested from his office.

The said land located at Bhains Colony Deh Gangiaro was earmarked for wool washing.

The suspect in his capacity as director land of KDA “misused his authority by allowing illegal leases of the plots”.

In the same case, an accused Shoaib Memon was arrested on May 3, 2018. The interrogation of the accused was under way.

Saif Abbas had also worked as media person associated with unified MQM.

He was not an official spokesperson for the united MQM. However, he was one of the joint in-charges of the central media wing of the MQM.

Currently, he was associated with Dr Farooq Sattar-led MQM-PIB faction, said sources.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2018