RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recovered Rs1,349 million looted money during last three years, and deposited in national exchequer, while it also arrested 21 officials in last 40 days, allegedly due to corruption charges on them.

This was stated by the NAB KP Additional Director Tariq Khan while unveiling the performance report of the institute during a press conference at Peshawar Press Club here on Saturday. The official said the NAB cleared more than 445 complaints and completed work on five inquiries out of total nine inquiries. He said the number of corruption cases, relating to former minister and serving government high officials, is being investigated in the NAB and action would be taken against accused in the cases immediately.

Tariq Khan said NAB is an independent and constitutional institute, which has been working without any pressure. He said the actions are being taken immediately, whenever the NAB received any complaints.

Currently, he said a number of inquiries are in under process in the NAB KP. The official said the actions have been taken against accused, after receiving solid evidences against offenders, in order to avoid arresting of innocent persons. He said those persons, who have been arrested by NAB, were supported by influential people.

He, however, said due to be autonomous institution, NAB has authorized to fully take action against corrupt officials, like secretary workers welfare board, Tariq Awan, Patwari Saeed. He said the NAB is transparent and fair institution, if the corruption charges were proved against any official of NAB, then he will also face action and other penalties accordingly. He informed the former director finance Provincial Housing Authority (PHA) has been arrested in land-scam of millions of rupees in Nathiagali.

NAB AD said that a former minister, which is still part of the incumbent provincial government, was allegedly accused for corruption. He added the NAB has completed inquiry in this regard, and would soon submit a reference against him.

About the action against deposing of ministers by KP government, after allegedly charges of corruption, he said NAB has yet not received any complaint from the government side in this regard. If the government would submit petition, then action will be taken accordingly, the official said. He said the ordinances of NAB and provincial accountability commission are similar, so there will be no harm for the functioning of the National Accountability Bureau.