ISLAMABAD, March 14: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to initiate an inquiry against Pakistan Television (PTV) Managing Director Yousuf Baig Mirza on allegations of corrupt practices and misuse of authority.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the bureau decided to dispose of a case against Usman Farooqi, former chairman of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and brother of President’s Secretary General Salman Farooqi.

“The National Accountability Bureau board authorised verification of a complaint against Yousuf Baig Mirza, MD, PTV, and others in cases of corruption and misuse of authority,” National Accountability Bureau spokesman Sheraz Latif said.

According to sources, Mr Mirza is accused of giving employment to a large number of people in violation of merit.The spokesman said the board had also authorised closure on ‘merit’ of three identical cases against Mr Farooqi regarding procurement of items allegedly on high rates.

National Accountability Bureau chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari showed displeasure over delay in disposal of cases.

He asked officials concerned to come up with a strategy for early disposal of cases which lacked evidences. “Complete inquiries within the stipulated period and pursue cases professionally and on merit,” he was quoted as saying. He said National Accountability Bureau was mandated to get back money from plunderers and put hands on big fish involved in high-profile cases.

The board approved filing of a reference against Sarmast Khan Qalandar for allegedly embezzling Rs117.84 million in connivance with 16 others officials of the Quetta Electric Supply Company.

It approved a reference against Raja Mohammad Irfan, General Secretary of the Pakistan Railways Cooperative Housing Society, Quetta, for illegally allotting plots worth Rs97.95 million.

A reference for misappropriating over 3,295 tons of government wheat and causing a loss of Rs78 million to the exchequer was approved against Sarhad Trading Company’s Managing Director Zaheerullah Nausherawan.

Approval was given for closure of inquiries against Syed Arifullah Shah, former executive officer of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, and Abid Hussain, assistant collector, and Syed Hassan Imam, ex-collector, customs, Karachi, on charges of accumulation of assets beyond their known sources of income.

The board accepted a plea bargain request of Abdul Aziz Khan, ex-senior auditor, DCO Office, Dera Ismail Khan, and ordered that the case against former district nazim Abdur Rauf and other accused of embezzlement be pursued expeditiously.

It accepted a plea bargain request of Jhal Magsi DCO Zafar Iqbal Magsi in a case of causing a loss of Rs4.75 million to the exchequer.

The board proposed to refer to the textile ministry an inquiry into fake exporters causing a huge loss to the national exchequer by obtaining research and development support through fraudulent means.

National Accountability Bureau closed an inquiry against Naseem Khan, a Deputy Director of the Press Information Department in Gilgit.

However, it advised that the inquiry into bogus bills and cheques amounting to Rs803,239 in the case might be referred to the FIA for further investigation.