ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) gets go-ahead to file first reference in the fake bank accounts case, as the executive board of the anti-corruption watchdog on Tuesday approved filing of six corruption references, including one relating to fake accounts and mega money laundering case.NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal chaired the executive board meeting which approved the filing of the reference against Omni Group of companies’ chief executive Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majeed, and others. “The suspects are accused of fake bank accounts and illegally regularising seven acres of official land. The suspects caused a Rs1.422 billion loss to the national exchequer,” a notification issued after the meeting stated.The board also gave go-ahead for the filing of a reference against Ijaz Ahmed Khan, former secretary Special Initiative Department Sindh. The ex-secretary was accused of misuse of power and favouritism in awarding supply scheme contracts, the notification read. The suspect caused a loss of Rs29.25 million to the national exchequer, it added.A reference against Ali Gohar Dahri and others was also approved for alleged misuse of power and illegal appointments, causing a loss of Rs74.85 million to the national exchequer, it said.The executive board also granted approval for the filing of a reference against former CDA Planning Wing director general Ghulam Sarwar Sindhu and others. The suspects had been accused of corruption and misuse of power in allotting 4.5 acres of land for a shuttle bus service in the diplomatic enclave. That caused a loss of Rs408.32 million to the national exchequer, the notification said.The anti-graft body also got approval for a reference against former secretary of Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) Iftikhar Rahim Khan and others over charges of corruption and embezzlement of funds. The suspects allegedly caused a loss of Rs466 million to the national exchequer.The notification further stated a reference against former administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Muhammad Hussain Syed had also been approved. Meanwhile, NAB Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal said the anti-corruption body was strictly pursuing the policy of ‘Accountability for All’. NAB’s foremost policy was to take mega corruption cases to logical conclusion. “NAB has first and last affiliation with Pakistan.”He directed NAB director generals to take complaint verification, inquiries and investigations to logical conclusion by ensuring merit and transparency in light of concrete evidence.The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating 32 people, including former president Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed in relation to money laundering through fictitious bank accounts.Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July last year in connection with the probe. The former president’s other close aide and Omni Group chairman Anwar Majeed and his son, Abdul Ghani, were arrested by the FIA in August 2018.
04-03-2019, 02:39 PM
NAB to file first reference in fake accounts case
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