PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau has arrested two officials of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) for being involved in embezzlement of funds worth millions of rupees.

According to a statement issued here on Friday, the accused persons, treasurer Shafiqullah (BPS-19) and procurement officer Pir Asfandyar (BPS-18), were allegedly involved in embezzlement of funds allocated for purchase of IT and lab equipment and furniture.

It was stated that the accused in connivance with Dr Ihsan Ali, former vice chancellor of the university, had illegally purchased substandard IT and lab equipment, chemicals and furniture from their already selected blue-eyed contractors in violation of the procurement laws.

Pir Asfandyar, being procurement officer of AWKUM, in league with other accused, issued supply orders for purchase of furniture on highly exorbitant rates to the favourite bidder on already expired tender.

Shafiqullah, on the other hand, illegally processed bills of millions of rupees for these procurements.

It was stated that more arrests were on the cards and that the accused would be produced before the accountability court for obtaining their physical remand.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2018