QUETTA: The National Accountability Bureau, Balochistan, has submitted more than 65 cases for restoration of references against politicians, bureaucrats and other influential figures in light of the Supreme Court’s recent verdict.

The dozens of graft cases being reopened include those against three former chief ministers of Balochistan, as investigation into over 30 cases have already been reopened.

As progress in hundreds of cases involving billions of rupees hindered due to amendments to the NAB rules during the previous government’s tenure, a high-level meeting chaired by the NAB chairman issued instructions to the heads of all regions to reopen cases that were closed in the wake of the amendments.

The bureau’s legal team subsequently submitted files of 65 cases in the accountability court.

Three ex-CMs of Balochistan to face renewed challenge

With the fresh move, former chief ministers Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani along with his brother may face a renewed challenge, while an inquiry against ex-CM Nawab Sanaullah Zehri is also likely to commence.

It has also been decided investigations would be initiated into graft charges against former provincial ministers Dr Hamid Achakzai, Sadiq Umrani, Naseebul Bazai, Maulana Abdul Wasey and Gohram Bugti.

Former provincial ministers Obaidullah Babit and Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, ex-adviser Bushra Rind, Dosteen Jamaldaini, Lal Jan and Asfandyar Kakar were also likely to face trial, according to NAB sources.

In addition, there is a possibility of an investigation and reference against former Quetta mayor Maqbool Ahmed Lehri.

Furthermore, investigations and references have been initiated against NHA, Customs, QDA, PDMA, revenue, and some officials of the health department. Legal action has also been initiated against several housing societies that deceived the general public.

Policemen sacked

Meanwhile, the services of five police personnel of Eagle Squad have been terminated on charges of releasing alleged drug smugglers after taking a bribe.

A police notification issued on Saturday said the five personnel patrolling the Orchard road area intercepted a vehicle and recovered ice and hashish from.

They also arrested some suspects. However, the personnel later bargained with the suspects and freed them after taking bribe money.

The Quetta SSP Operations, had ordered an inquiry into the allegations.

A police team after completing the inquiry submitted a report to the SSP confirming that the drug peddlers were freed after the personnel took bribe.

In view of the report, all the five Eagle Squad personnel were dismissed from service with immediate effect.

Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023