ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday approved filing of a reference and initiation of two investigations and four inquiries against some bureaucrats and politicians for allegedly committing white-collar crimes.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM), presided over by NAB chairman Javed Iqbal, authorised filing of the corruption reference against Abdul Hameed Mengal, project director, irrigation department of Balochistan, and others.

They are accused of granting an illegal contract to Noori Gorge, Integrated Grand Scheme, causing a loss of Rs216.3 million to the national exchequer.

NAB also authorised two investigations against officers/officials of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Karachi; and officials of the Revenue Department, Sche­me 33, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Karachi, and others.

The meeting also approved four inquiries against Manzoor Ahmed Kanaser, Director General, Culture Department, Sindh; Director of Directorate of Planning and Development Works, Sindh; officers/ officials of Land Utilisation Department, Sindh; Mir Nadir Magsi, Member of Provincial Assembly, Sindh; officers/officials of Land, Local Government Department and Pro­vincial Highways Department, Bilawal Sheikh, contractor, Paras Ram, contractor and others, and Nawab Sardar Khan Chandio, Member Provincial Assembly, Sindh, and others.

The meeting was attended by deputy chairman of NAB, prosecutor-general of accountability, director general of operations and other senior officers of the bureau.

NAB said it was a long policy of the bureau to share details of the EBM with the people for not hurting anybody and, therefore, the media was urged to avoid speculations in this regard.

“Inquiries and investigations are initiated on the basis of allegations which are not final and decision to go ahead with or otherwise is taken after knowing the other side of the picture,” NAB said in a press release.

The EBM approved closure of inquiries against Prof Dr Mujeeb-ud- Din Memon, Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agricultural University, Tando Jam, and others; officers/officials of Provincial Highway Division, Sang­har, and others due to absence of evidence.

The meeting referred inquiries against employees of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation’s procurement and logistic departments and others to the PIAC management for further action.

The meeting decided to send inquiries against Abdul Jabbar Bhutto, Syed Ahmed Shah and others to the Sindh chief secretary for further action.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2019