ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi on Monday filed a reference against the management of the Ministry of Commerce Employees Cooperative Housing Society (MCECHS) for alleged corruption.

The bureau arrested MCECHS President Rana Ghulam Farid, former vice president and general secretary Syed Amir Hussain Shah, general secretary Mazhar Hussain, former executive member and member development committee Mohammad Akram Awam, M/sSun Shine Real Estate Marketing CEO Mohammad Arshad and property dealer Kushnawaz.

The findings of the investigation, which were shared with the press, said that the suspects were found to be involved in corruption and corrupt practices in the allotment of plots, the embezzlement of society funds and the illegal award of contracts for development work, causing a loss of billions of rupees to plot seekers and owners.

NAB has received multiple complaints regarding the alleged misuse of authority in the award of development contracts and allotment of plots and of embezzlement of society funds against the management.

The investigation found that Mr Farid, then president of the society, in connivance with others illegally awarded a consultancy services contract to M/s Naveed Aslam & Associates without competitive bidding, which is a violation of cooperative laws.

The society received millions of rupees from members which were allegedly embezzled by the suspects instead of being spent on buying land or on development work for the society. The suspects are also accused of illegally allotting plots without balloting.

It also said that Mr Farid, in connivance with the other suspects, transferred dozens of files amounting to millions of rupees on bogus cheques as well as double allotments.

In connivance and with the collaboration of the other suspects, he was also allegedly involved in the transfer of 94 memberships on the basis of fake or bogus documents and without the knowledge of owners.

The investigation also found that the suspects had allegedly cheated the public at large and committed criminal breach of trust under the provision of the National Accountability Ordinance.

In a statement, NAB Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Naeem Mangi said NAB Rawalpindi, under directions from NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal, was committed to eradicating corruption by adopting a policy of ‘accountability for all’ and ‘across-the-board accountability’.

He said the bureau was working to recover stolen funds from corrupt elements and deposit them in the national exchequer.

It is also investigating the affairs of many other housing societies in the twin cities, and many such references have been filed against the managements of other societies on various charges, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2018