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National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal, during an executive board meeting on Wednesday, clarified that the investigations launched by the body are based on allegations that are not definite.
He insisted that NAB strictly follows a policy of "accountability for everyone" and did not believe in revenge tactics. He promised that all investigations and inquiries will reach their "logical end".
"NAB's first and only responsibility is towards Pakistan and its people," he said and warned NAB officials that any negligence on their part will not be tolerated.
Justice Iqbal further said that NAB will interrogate every related person in each case as per the law so that appropriate action can be taken.
"NAB is trying its best to eliminate corruption from the country," said Justice Iqbal. "Corruption is like cancer and it needs to be treated."
Justice Iqbal further said that NAB officials considered it their "national responsibility" to root out corruption.
The executive board members also agreed to file corruption references against multiple officials that have allegedly been involved in graft cases.
References, inquiries and plea bargains
A corruption reference was filed against former premier Shaukat Aziz, former Sindh chief minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, former secretary in the water and power ministry (now dismantled) Ismail Qureshi, former additional secretary in the water and power ministry Mohammad Yousuf Memon, former joint secretary in the water and power ministry Ghulam Nabi Mangrio, former section officer in the water and power ministry Umar Farooq, former chairman of the Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) retired Air Marshal Shahid Hamid, former secretary AEDB Naseem Akhtar Khan, former chief executive officer AEDB Arif Alauddin and former consultant for the AEDB Basharat Hasan Bashir.
NAB approved the initiation of an inquiry against the former chairman of Punjab Cooperative Board for Liquidation, Mushtaq Anjum, and other officials for alleged abuse of power and costing a loss of Rs59.9 million the national exchequer.
NAB executive board also approved an investigation against Capital Development Authority officials for allegedly allotting land belonging to Punjab Forest Department to a private company illegally.
Due to the continuous non-appearance of National Fertiliser Marketing Ltd Managing Director Tariq Shafeeq Khan, General Manager Fakharuz Zaman Ali Cheema, NAB decided to end its inquiry into alleged illegal appointments and forward the case to the relevant ministry for investigation as per law.
Another inquiry against former Iqbal Academy Pakistan (Lahore) director Sohail Amir and other officials was closed due to lack of evidence. The case will be sent to the relevant ministry for investigation as per law.
The executive board approved an inquiry against the administration of Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and officials of Bank of Punjab (BoP). EOBI is accused of buying shares worth Rs3.8 billion in BoP.
NAB executive board also approved the plea bargain of Seth Nisar Ahmed worth Rs177.8 million. His plea will be sent to an accountability court for a final nod.
Another plea bargain worth Rs11.9mn of Fateh Textile Mills Ltd Chairman Asad Zuhair was approved by the executive board and will be sent to an accountability court for final approval.
The NAB executive board also approved an inquiry against officials of the Lyari Expressway Reestablishment Project Karachi who are accused of illegal occupation of commercial and residential plots as well as China cutting that cost the national treasury Rs2.7 billion.
Another investigation was ordered against Sindh finance department's officials in Sujawal taluka who were accused of selling state-owned land.
An inquiry against officials of Allied Bank Ltd was called off due to lack of evidence. The executive board agreed that the case would be forwarded to the State Bank of Pakistan so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the law.
The board approved to launch an inquiry against former MNA Syed Nasir Ali Shah and others accused of altering official documents to portray residential plots as commercial plots.
NAB's executive board also approved an investigation against former director general of Quetta Development Authority, Noor Ahmed Pirkani, and others for alleged misuse of power, deceiving the public and costing the national exchequer Rs66mn.
The board also approved an investigation against the administration of Quetta Metropolitan Corporation for allegedly abusing their power and costing the treasury Rs270mn.
Another inquiry was ordered against Pehlaj Mal, former special assistant to the former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, for allegedly owning assets beyond his income.
NAB's executive board also approved an investigation into allegations of illegal purchase of land and awarding of contracts for the Metro Bus Multan Project.
Another inquiry was ordered against Managing Director of Multan Waste Management Imran Noor and Human Resource Manager Amir Maqbool as well as others for alleged misuse of power, including the alleged illegal recruitment of Noor as Chief Financial Officer. The illegal activities cost the national treasury Rs104mn.
