LAHORE, April 11: The Punjab NAB authorities have arrested two Sargodha District Council contractors on charges of corruption and corrupt practices as defined under the NAB Ordinance, 1999.

According to a NAB statement issued on Thursday, Zafarullah Khan allegedly gained pecuniary advantage of Rs7 million in immovable property tax through corrupt practices. The contract was given at the rate of 2.5 per cent through open bid whereas the tax collection was made at the rate of 4 per cent. The excess amount of Rs7 million was recovered from the contractor who was remanded into judicial custody on Thursday.

Nisar Ahmad allegedly gained pecuniary advantage of Rs15 million in goods exit tax through corrupt practices. The bid in this contract was made on the schedule provided according to the given rates which was later enhanced and some new items were included in its list.

The earnest money was not increased proportionately, the NAB alleged, saying the accused has been remanded into its custody till April 26.

According to NAB, both the accused caused a loss of Rs22 million in connivance with former MPA and chairman of Sargodha District Council, Farrukh Javed Ghumman.

Mr Ghumman had already been convicted in a NAB reference on charges of acquiring assets through corrupt practices, had been disqualified and awarded three years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs100,000.

APP ADDS: The NAB chairman has sent another reference against Farrukh Javed Ghumman.