ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau has completed inquiry into a Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) scam and a reference is almost ready, informed sources told Dawn on Saturday.

They said that on the basis of a complaint received in November 2012 about illegal appointments in the PHA, an inquiry was authorised in June last year.

The inquiry revealed that the PHA made 191 appointments in November 2011, with 133 of those employed not fulfilling the criteria, including age, academic qualifications and experience as mentioned in the advertisement inviting applications for the post and schedule 11 of the PHA Service Rules.

Despite several requests, the PHA failed to provide record of applicants, written tests and interviews. The statements of witnesses have been recorded and the accused persons were given fair opportunity to record their versions. These versions have already been made part of the inquiry and converted into investigations after thorough deliberations in the executive board meeting of the NAB headquarters.

An official said the PHA was providing maintenance services to its six projects through 89 personnel.