KARACHI: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi during raids confiscated record of six licensed hydrants in six districts of the city. NAB officials also recorded statements of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board officials and representatives of hydrants contractors who were present there. NAB officials said that this action was taken on reports of kickbacks in contracts, higher selling rate of water and non-preparation of water and income records of these hydrants against official terms. NAB officials claimed that Water Board Chairman who is also the Sindh Minister of Local Government Jam Khan Shoro, Water Board former managing director Hashim Raza Zaidi, higher police officials and officials of concerned government departments can also be interrogated in this connection. Huge money in kickbacks and contracts is spent besides unpaid tax income which is also used in the business, NAB officials claimed. Two NAB joint teams, SOW and IW-I took part in the raids and during raids, hydrant activity remained halted for more than five hours. Later NAB allowed hydrants officials for resumption of business activity. NAB officials also directed staff at these hydrants to inform respective hydrants contractors as they were wanted for interrogation on the matter, informed officials of these hydrants. Means of ill gotten money involved in this business would also be thoroughly probed, NAB officials maintained. NAB is already investigating sources of funds, income and expenditures of three hydrants, NAB officials informed. Published in Daily Times, April 13th 2018.