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ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) decided on Thursday to take action against over two dozen politicians, including former federal ministers Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Babar Khan Ghouri and former MNA retired Captain Mohammad Safdar.
NAB has also decided to initiate an inquiry against Aleem Khan, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Former MNAs Abdul Hakim Baloch, Ramesh Lal and Rai Mansab Ali Khan, MPAs Zafar Ali Shah and Anita Irfan Bashir (Balochistan), Sardar Ghalib Khan Chandio and Hussain Dahar (Sindh), Sohail Zafar (Punjab), the Peshawar district Nazim and former special assistant to the Sindh chief minister Behlaj Mal will also face NAB probe.
Allegations include abuse of authority, money laundering and assets beyond known sources of income
The NAB Executive Board Meeting approved filing of corruption reference against Babar Khan Ghouri and others for abuse of authority causing a loss of up to Rs2.85 billion to the national exchequer by illegally appointing 974 people.
It also authorised an inquiry against Khawaja Mohammad Asif and others for alleged money laundering and having assets beyond known sources of their income, causing a loss of Rs3.668bn to the national kitty.
NAB will file a reference against Sikander Aziz and others for abuse of authority and occupying the land of the Peshawar Cantonment Board through fake documents.
An inquiry will be conducted against officials / officers of the workers welfare boards of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan who are accused of committing corruption in the purchase of equipment in Matric Tech Project, causing a loss of Rs 100 million to the national exchequer.
The meeting approved an inquiry against the officials / officers of the National Highway Authority (NHA) for awarding a contract for Multan-Sukkur Motorway project illegally, causing a loss of Rs259.352bn to the national exchequer.
An inquiry was also approved against the management / revenue officers of Sahil Private Limited for illegally getting government land allotted.
The meeting authorised an inquiry against former minister Zafar Ali Leghari and others for their involvement in corruption and occupying government land, inflicting a loss of Rs574m to the national exchequer.
Another inquiry will be carried out against Behlaj Mal, special assistant to the former chief minister of Sindh, for having assets beyond known sources of his income.
An inquiry was approved against former MNA Abdul Hakim Baloch for having assets beyond known sources of his income and wealth of Rs763m.
The NAB authorised an inquiry against the Peshawar district Nazim and others for illegally transferring amounts to district councils inflicting a loss of Rs100m.
The meeting authorised an inquiry against the cabinet division for issuing Rs9bn to PWD for allegedly allowing development works in Capt Safdar’s constituency through his favourite contractors.
An inquiry was approved against former chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amjad Ali Khan, officers of C&W and irrigation departments. They have been accused of abusing their authority, committing corruption in development funds, illegally selling irrigation department land and cutting Shesham trees and selling them to their favourites.
The meeting authorised an inquiry against former MPA Anita Irfan Bashir and others for alleged corruption in the funds of Christian Housing Scheme, Quetta.
An inquiry was permitted against MNA Ramesh Lal and others for abusing their authority and having assets beyond known sources of their income.
The meeting authorised an inquiry against former MPA Sardar Ghalib Khan Chandio and others.
The NAB authorised an inquiry against former MPA Ahmed Hussain Dahar and others for allegedly having assets beyond their income and abusing authority.
The board approved an inquiry against Rai Mansab Ali Khan, Rai Inayat and others. They have been accused of allotting state land by abusing their authority.
The meeting approved an inquiry against Sohail Zafar, Rizwan Zafar and others for alleged abuse of authority and having assets beyond income.
The NAB authorised an inquiry against Abdul Aleem Khan and others for their involvement in suspicious transaction of 50m euros.
The meeting approved an inquiry against the head of National Testing Services Haroon Rashid, Waheedullah Nagra, Mohammad Javed, Mohibur Rehman and others for their involvement in alleged corruption and non-transparency in examinations.
The NAB authorised an investigation against former vice chancellor of Punjab University Dr Mujahid Kamran and others for alleged abuse of authority and illegal appointments.
Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2018
