NAB decides to file reference against Ashraf, others

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday decided to file a reference against former Prime Minister Pervaiz Ashraf and others for alleged misuse of authority and corruption in Rental Power Projects (RPP) case.

A senior official of NAB said that the decision to file reference against Raja Pervez Ashraf, former Prime Minister and former Minster for Water & Power former Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power/Ex-Chairman Pakistan Electric Shahid Rafi and Ismail Qureshi former Chairman Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) and two others in RPP case titled M/s Techno Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd, at Sammundri Road Faisalabad and Summundri Road extension was taken up in NAB executive board meeting (EBM) presided over by chairman of the bureau Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.

He said that the reference was filed against former prime minister and others for alleged corruption, misuse of authority and corrupt practices by conducting illegal/unauthorized International Competitive Bidding in violation of NEPRA Act, illegal and non transparent Award of Contract for extending financial benefits to sponsors, illegal/unauthorized changes in terms of contract through revision of Letter of Award, in violation of advertised criteria.

The official said that the other accused are: Munawar Baseer Ahmad, Ex-Managing Director (MD) PEPCO, Tahir Basharat Cheema former -MD / Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and others.

According the NAB spokesman, the executive board meeting also decided to file a second reference, which was approved against Zahoor Khattak, the then Chief Controller of Purchase, Pakistan Railway, Saeed Akhtar, the then General Manager (Operation), Pakistan Railway, Sameeullah Khan, the then Chief Controller of Stores (CCS), Pakistan Railway, and Zeeshan Ahmad, Contractor / Proprietor of M/s Pak Steel Traders, Lahore.

In this case, the accused persons were alleged of violating Public Procurement Rules, 2004. Without advertising in the press, the officials of Pakistan Railways in connivance with the contractor namely M/s Pak Steel Traders, Lahore awarded contract for procurement of 500 million Tons Pig Iron to M/s Pak Steel Traders, Lahore.

EBM also decided to authorize three inquiries. First inquiry was against Officers/Officials of Agricultural Department Peshawar and others namely Arbab Saadullah Khan, Ex-MNA / Ex Chairman PMC, Saifullah Khan, Ex-Govt Servant, Usman Alam Jhagra, Public Office Holder / Ex-Chairman PMC, Malik Muhammad Ali Sohni, Public Office Holder / Ex-Vice Chairman PMC, and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged of misappropriation, embezzlement of government funds in Plot Scam of fruit and vegetable market, Peshawar, thus causing loss of Rs.129.99 million to the national exchequer.

Second inquiry was authorized against Officers/Officials of University of Peshawar namely Dr Azmat Hayat Khan, Ex-Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar, Dr. Sana Ullah, Ex-Treasurer University of Peshawar, Sherin Zada Khattak, Ex-Registrar University of Peshawar, Dr. Shafiq ur Rehman, Ex-Dean Environmental Sciences and Dr. Farrukh Hussain, Ex-Dean, Environmental Sciences University of Peshawar.

In this case, the accused persons were allegedly involved in purchasing of land on exorbitant rates for Peshawar University Welfare Foundation and Campus-II of University of Peshawar at Azakhel Nowshera, thus causing loss of Rs. 100 million to the national exchequer.

Third inquiry was authorized against Officers/Officials of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan namely Dr Ihsan Ali, Vice Chancellor of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Sher Ali, Registrar Wali Khan University Mardan and Dr Muhammad Amin, Director Wali Khan University Mardan. In this case, the accused persons were alleged of irregularities in appointments in both teaching and non teaching cadres as well as embezzlement in funds. They made more than 700 appointments without any codal formalities. The EBM decided to constitute a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to conduct inquiry against Muhammad Baqir Raza Kazmi, NAB officers and others. In this case, the accused allegedly misused authority, hampering evidence and abuse of process of law.