PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has issued a call-up notice to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, directing him to appear before the anti-graft watchdog on Oct 1.

The call-up notice has been issued to the JUI-F chief for allegedly being involved in corrupt practices and having assets beyond his means.

The notice, a copy of which is available with Dawn, states: “Whereas the competent authority has taken cognisance of an offence committed by you and others under the provisions of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, whereas the subject inquiry has revealed that you are in possession of information/evidence whatsoever which relates to the commission of said offence.

“Therefore, you are called upon to appear before combined investigation team (CIT-I) at NAB KP, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) complex, Hayatabad, on October 1 at 11hours to record your statement/plea in the subject inquiry”.

It warned the JUI-F chief that failing to comply with the notice might entail penal consequence as provided in Section 2 of the schedule of the NAO, 1999.

Another NAB letter addressed to its provincial chapter conveyed its concurrence to the latter and approved authorisation of inquiry into the matter.

A JUI-F spokesperson, when approached for his comments on the NAB notice, said that presently Maulana Fazl was in Karachi and they were not in position to comment on the matter. He said only the party’s central leadership could offer comments on the matter.

He also declined to comment on the specifics of the case, stating that it would be premature to say anything on the subject at this moment.

On Aug 25, Ziaur Rehman, younger brother of the JUI-F chief and an employee of the provincial government, had also appeared before the accountability body in connection with a case of assets beyond means.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2020