PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau has decided to initiate an inquiry against the officials of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo) regarding corruption and misuse of authority.

According to a statement, the approval was given in the regional board meeting of NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, which was held with director general Farmanullah Khan in the chair here on Friday. It was stated that the meeting was attended by directors, deputy prosecutor general and case officers.

The accused persons are stated to have allegedly entered into an agreement with a joint venture in gross violation of laws. The said firms were not registered with PEC and did not have the required technical experience to undertake the project.

Another inquiry was authorised against officials of the mines and mineral development department, Karak, and others regarding illegal mining.

The accused persons are stated to have allegedly facilitated illegal mining in Umar Din Kallay which was auctioned at Rs15.2 million, but the lease-holder did not deposit any installment while illegal mining was carried out.

The board also authorised an inquiry against officials of the education department, Peshawar, and others regarding misuse of authority. The accused persons are stated to have secured land for school in Hazar Khawani, Peshawar, on the promise to give jobs to landowners in violation of laws.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2018