PTI senator, 11 others to be indicted in NAB reference

Published April 13, 2021
This file photo shows Prime Minister Imran Khan in a meeting with Senator-elect Mohammad Abdul Qadir. — DawnNewsTV/File
This file photo shows Prime Minister Imran Khan in a meeting with Senator-elect Mohammad Abdul Qadir. — DawnNewsTV/File

ISLAMABAD: Newly-elected PTI senator Abdul Qadir and 11 other accused will be indicted in the Rs46 million corruption reference.

The accountability court of Islamabad has fixed May 18 for framing charges against them.

According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the accused were members of the Financial Bid Opening Committee of the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) constituted to examine the financial proposal of the bid received in pursuance to the tender notice for procurement of land for establishing a medical college and teaching hospital in Islamabad.

They are accused of causing a loss of Rs466.2 million to the national exchequer through corrupt practices.

During the investigation, it was also established that the chairman of the Financial Bid Committee and Site Selection Committee illegally and with mala fide intentions recommended and got approved procurement of 151 kanals and four marlas from the governing body for establishment of a medical college and teaching hospital in Islamabad at exorbitant rates in gross violation of the notice inviting tender and caused a loss to the national exchequer.

Court fixes May 18 to frame charges against accused

According to NAB, the accused willfully and knowingly recommended purchase of 150 kanals at a rate of Rs3.7 million per kanal.

As per the reference, the federal government, in collaboration with the provincial government, had initiated a project worth over Rs2 billion titled ‘Water Conservation and Productivity Enhancement through High Efficiency Irrigation System in Pakistan’ for the purpose of increasing agriculture production by using available irrigation water efficiently during 2007-2012.

“During the course of inquiry, it came to surface that 182 such schemes worth Rs320m were approved. These included 158 schemes initiated in 15 districts of Khyber Pakhtun­khwa,” NAB stated.

It noted that most of the schemes were undertaken in Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts and only five were found functional, it said.

“The accused, in connivance with each other, released payments for bogus and incomplete schemes,” the bureau alleged.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...