Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau on Friday decided to interrogate former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf for holding ‘disproportionate’ assets as well as ‘wrongful use of power’.

The anti-graft watchdog also approved a probe against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Moonis Elahi for owning an offshore company as his name had appeared in the Panama Papers.

In a 28-point statement, the NAB said probes would be launched against scores including sitting ministers and top bureaucrats.

On February 9, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had redefined NAB’s powers, allowing the bureau to investigate former military men, especially retired generals, and directed it to investigate Musharraf for his alleged corruption while holding his office.

The executive board meeting also authorised inquiry against Minister for Housing Akram Khan Durrani, Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PHA Foundation Jamil Ahmed Khan, Company Secretary Zafar Yab Khan and others for illegally allotting PHA Foundation’s allocated land for mosques situated at Kurri road, Sector I-12 and I-16 to their favourites.

Another inquiry has been approved against Bank of Punjab President Naeem uddin Khan and others. They have been accused of maneuvering prices of shares and inside trading in the bank.

A corruption reference against Capital Development Authority (CDA) former chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, former member finance Saeed ur Rehman and others was also approved. They have been accused of indulging in corruption, misuse of authority in the construction of Cultural Complex, Shakarparian, Islamabad and thus inflicting a loss of Rs 471.498 million to the national exchequer.

Another inquiry against Aleem Khan, Hexium Investments Overseas Limited and others was approved for their alleged corruption and establishing offshore company as reported in Panama Papers.

Yet another inquiry was authorised against Abdullah Yousaf and others for their involvement in corruption and creating an offshore company as reported in Panama Papers.

The NAB authorized inquiry against Jehangir Siddiqui, officers of Sindh Social Relief Fund and others for allegedly misappropriating in the investments of over Rs 3 billion in Sindh Social Relief Department.

Talking on the occasion, NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal said the elimination of corruption is the priority of his organisation. He reiterated his firm resolve that politicians are Honourable for NAB. “The actions of NAB are in accordance with law, evidence and in light of the available evidence. NAB does not even imagine starting vilifying campaign against politicians or their character assassination. NAB will never indulge in such vilifying activities. However, taking action against any politician in corruption case could not be termed his or her character assassination. NAB works under purview of law of the land and can explain its point in any court of law,” he said.

He said all inquiries, investigations, complaint verifications should be taken to their logical conclusion as per law, merit and availability of concrete evidence. He said NAB was strictly pursuing the policy of accountability for all. “The first and last priority of NAB is keeping the interests of Pakistani people supreme,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, April 21^st 2018.