ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is verifying a private complaint in which incumbent Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan has been accused of having assets beyond means.

NAB sources told Dawn that the bureau did not initiate proceedings against the minister on its own but was verifying the allegations leveled against Mr Khan.

NAB Additional Director (Staff) Mohammad Saleem Ahmad Khan has written a letter to the Rawalpindi administration seeking details about the properties of the minister and his family.

The bureau has sought record from the additional deputy commissioner (revenue), Rawalpindi, of the agricultural, residential and commercial properties besides plots which Khan purchased in his name as well as in the names of his family members.

A NAB official said verification of a complaint was a routine matter. In case the offence is established, the next phase is inquiry and then investigation against the suspect.

Finally, a reference is filed against the suspect with the approval of the executive board. When contacted, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said he was not afraid of any verification or inquiry. He said after joining politics, his assets had gradually reduced as he never used political position for financial gains.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2020