PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau on Wednesday ordered the transfer of its two officers, including its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa director general, Farmanullah, who was at the centre of a controversy recently after Prime Minister Imran Khan took to social media to criticise the arrest of director (archeology) Dr Abdus Samad by the bureau.

A notification issued by the NAB headquarters declared that the competent authority had been pleased to approve postings and transfers of the officers with an immediate effect.

It said director (BPS-20) Farmanullah, who was performing as the NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, director general, was transferred and posted to the NAB headquarters as director (awareness and prevention).

The notification said another director (BPS-20), Mujahid Akbar Baloch, was transferred from Quetta to Peshawar to perform as the NAB KP director general.

After a public outcry, Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken note of Dr Samad’s arrest on Feb 15.

While re-tweeting a senior journalist’s tweet, the prime minister had commented: “The NAB Chairman should take action against those in his institution who are responsible for this disgraceful act.”

NAB chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal took notice of the prime minister’s tweet and ordered the production of Dr Samad, who was arrested on the charge of carrying out illegal appointments of around a 100 low-grade employees, along with the relevant records.

An investigation team later visited Islamabad along with the relevant documents and briefed the NAB chairman about the case, who later ordered fair investigation.

Dr Samad was taken into custody on Feb 14.

He was initially remanded into custody of NAB for 10 days on Feb 15 and later on he was again remanded to five days of NAB’s custody on Feb 25.

His arrest had resulted in a major controversy and triggered a public outcry, especially on the social media, as his supporters highlighted his contributions in the field of archeology and tourism.

Apart from the prime minister, the KP government also threw its weight behind Dr Samad condemning the NAB’s move.

Condemning the arrest of Dr Samad, Chief Minister Mehmood Khan had criticised the role of NAB in KP and said the bureau’s role in the province was not right.

“The arrest of Abdul Samad Khan is wrong and if NAB continues harassing honest officers in KP, it will hinder development in the province,” he said during a function held in Matta area of Swat on Feb 16 to inaugurate a tree plantation campaign.He said the NAB should stop harassing honest officials.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2019