MULTAN: The National Accountability Bureau, Multan has started investigation against a person who submitted an application against its officers accusing them of taking bribe, Dawn has learnt.

On March 20 last, the NAB Multan wrote a letter to the provincial secretary communication and works to provide the certified copies of service profile, assets declaration proforma filed during service, personal file and departmental/disciplinary action, if any, pertaining to Punjab Highways Department Bahawalpur EXEN Farrukh Mumtaz till March 26.

Complaint against Mumtaz was lodged by the same investigation team which had allegedly taken bribe to close a corruption case against his elder brother Tanvir Nusrat Warraich, the district food inspector Bahawalpur.

In his complaint to the NAB chairman against four officers of the NAB Multan -- Additional Director (Staff) Ahmed Mumtaz Bajwa, assistant directors (investigation officer) Ali Arslan, Alim Liaquat and Faisal Manzoor, he stated that during procurement season of 2017, Bajwa asked his brother to accommodate Rana Luqman who demanded 10,000 gunny bags.

He stated that over refusal by his brother, Bajwa initiated an inquiry on a self-generated application and when his brother on a call up notice appeared before IO Arsalan, he again was asked to contact Luqman. He said his brother discussed the situation with him and they contacted irrigation EXEN Rana Afzal who is brother-in-law of Luqman and sharing his official residence in Multan with Bajwa.

He alleged that Afzal after discussing the matter with Bajwa demanded Rs7 million and also arranged their meeting with IO Arsalan who informed them that they were facing hardship for not honouring the call of Bajwa.

He claimed that Rs7 million was handed over to Afzal in three installments but after three months, Afzal informed them that inquiry has been converted into investigation as the NAB director general got information about this deal. However, Bajwa says he will resolve the matter.

He stated that the NAB continues issuing notices to him, his brother and other family members and they again contacted Afzal who returned Rs4 million and assured them that they would not be arrested and there would be no reference against them. He stated that despite all assurances, warrant for arrest of his brother was issued and he was arrested when the court rejected his pre-arrest bail. The NAB also conducted raids on their houses, held them up and robbed them of valuables.

He requested that the NAB chairman take action against the officers and private persons who blackmailed his family over a bogus application.

On April 23, a two-member team of chairman’s inspection and monitoring cell reached Multan where it recorded the statements of both parties and collected the relevant record.

Sources said the audio and video recording which was made during the investigation process was found missing when the committee demanded it.

NAB spokesman Qaisar Mahmood said that during investigation of Warraich it transpired that Farrukh Mumtaz had used the same modus operandi.

“It is an independent complaint and record has been sought from the department concerned,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2019