KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi on Thursday arrested two accused persons after the rejection of interim bail application of three persons by the Sindh High Court while the commissioner of Shaheed Benazirabad escaped from the court premises.

Those whose bail pleas were rejected were Ghulam Mustafa Phull, former secretary for the Sindh land utilisation department and currently commissioner of Shaheed Benazirabad; Abu Bakar Dawood and Abdul Aziz Dawood, both private persons.

Both Abu Bakar and Abdul Aziz were arrested but Ghulam Mustafa Phull escaped from the SHC premises, said a NAB spokesperson.

The accused were wanted in a reference under trial in the Accountability Court Karachi. The reference was filed on the charges of illegal conversion of 70 acres industrial land to residential/commercial purpose. The land is situated in deh Phihai, Korangi.

Mr Phull had illegally approved the conversion in 2011 in his capacity as the LU secretary, which was in violation of law.

Public hearing

In compliance with the initiative of the NAB chairman, NAB director general Karachi Mohammad Altaf Bawany with his team held a public hearing on Thursday at the NAB office where he received complaints from the public.

The applicants submitted complaints regarding cases of corruption in various government departments.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2018