Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to authorise four inquiries against corrupt elements while closing six inquiries including ex federal minister Firdous Ashiq Awan. NAB authorised an investigation against Asif Hashmi, Ex-Chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board as well.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the chairmanship of NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, at NAB Headquarters.

According to a NAB spokesman, the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) decided to authorise an investigation against Asif Hashmi. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority by making over 700 illegal appointments. The first inquiry was authorized against Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ex-Vice Chancellor and Management of Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Sub Campus Lahore and others. In this case, the accused persons established Sub Campus of Federal Urdu University in Lahore in violation of rules and regulations and collected money from students. They allegedly cheated the students by misusing their authority.

The second inquiry was authorised against officers/officials of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and financial embezzlement. This caused a loss millions of rupees to the national exchequer.

The third inquiry was authorised against Umair Steel Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore. In this case, the accused persons were alleged to have defaulted on a loan of Rs. 42.590 million referred by State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D. The fourth inquiry was authorised against Bakht Zada Khan s/o Haji Sher Baz Khan and others. In this case, the State Bank of Pakistan through FMU referred the case as a Suspicious Transition Report (STR).

At the end, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said that NAB was committed to eradicating corruption by using all its resources and by adopting a zero tolerance policy. He directed all officers/officials of NAB to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupt in accordance with law, and on merit.