LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Chairman Sohail Nasir on Wednesday handed over a cheque worth Rs36.8 million to the Punjab government comprising the amount recovered from accused persons in corruption references.

The NAB said the reference was filed against former chief minister and PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and others (Communication &Works Department officials), pertaining to alleged corruption in different construction contracts.

“The NAB has so far recovered more than Rs160 million from different accused persons involved in the matter,” the bureau said.

Mr Nasir stated that NAB’s primary objective is to recover national wealth from corrupt elements.

Ex-CM skips hearing of PA appointments case

He praised NAB Lahore’s performance under the supervision of DG Amjad Majeed Aulakh for making recoveries worth billions of rupees and disbursements of the amount during this year.

On the other hand, Mr Elahi alleged the NAB had spread a “fake” news against him.

“The NAB kidnapped a number of government employees and beat them up for getting a plea bargain. The money the NAB has given [to the government] is being falsely associated with me. This is all a lie, neither I have committed corruption, nor made any plea bargain,” Mr Elahi said and added that 25 fake cases were registered against him.

“Make 25 more cases, but I will stand firm with Imran Khan,” he added.

INDICTMENT POSTPONED: A special court of anti-corruption on Wednesday postponed the indictment of the suspects in a case of illegal appointments in the Punjab Assembly as PTI President Parvez Elahi skipped the hearing for medical reasons.

As Judge Sardar Iqbal Dogar resumed the hearing, a lawyer for Mr Elahi presented an application seeking a one-time exemption for the ex-chief minister from personal appearance.

He said his client was not able to attend the proceedings due to illness, submitting a medical report of Mr Elahi.

A prosecutor opposed the application, saying the suspect had been delaying the indictment deliberately.

However, the judge allowed the application and summoned the suspects for indictment on Oct 23.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) registered the FIR, alleging that illegal appointments against BS-17 posts were made in the assembly when Mr Elahi was the chief minister and co-suspect Muhammad Khan Bhatti was his principal secretary in 2021.

The prosecution said favourite candidates were appointed despite being declared failed in the written examination held for the posts.

The appointed candidates had also been nominated as suspects in the case.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2024