Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Deputy Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Imtiaz Tajwar, has moved a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking to declare a first information report (FIR) registered by the FIA against him as illegal. The petitioner argued in his plea that a baseless allegation of corruption was leveled against him in the FIR registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

He stated that some officials of the National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) had initiated the move against him, saying that he was being victimised politically. Imtiaz Tajwar adopted the stance that the said FIR was registered without prior permission of the Anti-Corruption Council that was necessary to lodge a proceeding against an officer of BPS-22.

He prayed the court to declare the FIR as null and void and stop the FIA to proceed further. It may be mentioned here that NAB’s Deputy Chairman Imtiaz Tajwar last week voluntarily stepped down till he gets a clean chit in relation to the charges of misusing his authority along with charges of corruption.

“Consequent to the registration of case against the Deputy Chairman NAB the matter was considered at the highest level in the organisation. It was decided that to maintain the propriety of the office the deputy chairman will voluntarily proceed on leave forthwith. To maintain the highest standards of professionalism the officer will contest and clear his position,” a statement released by the bureau said.

The resignation of the graft buster’s official came as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered a case against the NAB deputy chairman on corruption charges.

A statement issued by the interior ministry stated that the FIR against Imtiaz Tajwar was registered under Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act for misuse of authority and corruption while he had the additional charge of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). According to sources, Tajwar is in hot waters due to alleged misuse of funds worth Rs 6,11,5000.

The official spent Rs 280,000 on medicines in just one year. The funds were also squandered on purchasing two iPhones along with accessories, as well as goats for offering sacrifice. Besides all this, Imtiaz Tajwar also spent the funds on purchase of perfumes, cosmetics, acquisition of gas connection, and to pay bills for trying different cuisines at hotels. Imtiaz Tajwar also obtained a bail before arrest last week. Special Central Judge Islamabad granted him the bail and ordered to submit surety bonds worth Rs 0.5 million.