RAHIM YAR KHAN, May 31: A bank officer wanted in a Rs17 million fraud has been arrested by NAB. Tariq Mustafa Malhi, head of the deposits, National Bank, Main branch, had been in hiding since 2004. He was arrested in Lahore when he appeared before NAB on Thursday.

Malhi allegedly withdrew Rs17.3 million from three accounts by preparing fake balance cards during a period of eight years, from 1996 to 2004.

It was in April 2004 when the then manager, Ch Shafi, spotted the wrongdoing. As the main accused went underground, over two dozen bank officials faced NAB investigation for their alleged collusion/negligence.

One of the bankers, Syed Saleem Shah, had died of cardiac arrest during the probe.