ISLAMABAD, June 14,: Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB chaired a meeting to review performance of NAB Sukkur especially conviction made under Section 10 of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO)-1999 and under Section 25 (B) of NAO-1999 from 2018 to 2020 here on Monday.
Hussain Asghar, Deputy Chairman NAB, Syed Asghar Haider, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA), Zahir Shah, DG Operations NAB, and other senior officers of NAB were present at the meeting,
According to media cell of NAB, Mirza Muhammad Irfan Baig, DG NAB Sukkur also participated in the meeting via video link.
During the meeting Mirza Muhammad Irfan Baig, DG NAB Sukkur informed that under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB, NAB Sukkur also identified theft / embezzlement of 253,551.7 Metric Ton wheat amounting to Rs. 27.8 Billion out of which an amount of Rs. 19.2 Billion has been recovered and handed over to the Govt of Sindh. This recovery of embezzled wheat was done when there was acute shortage of wheat due to less production in 2019-2020. The Chief Secretary Sindh has also issued a letter of appreciation addressed to Honorable Chairman NAB in this regard.
DG NAB Sukkur further informed that NAB Sukkur is committed to make corruption free society on the principles of merit, equity & justice in pursuance of mission of Worthy Chairman NAB regarding zero tolerance against corruption.
During 2018 to 2020, NAB Sukkur filed 67 References in the Accountability Court Sukkur. During the said period, 32 accused persons were convicted u/s 10 of NAO, 1999 and also fine to the tune of Rs. 880 million imposed upon them. Whereas, 242 accused persons were convicted us/ 25(B) of NAO, 1999 who returned Rs. 2.77 Billion through Plea Bargain after approval by the Learned Accountability Court Sukkur.
DG NAB Sukkur also informed that the Hon’ble Sindh High Court Bench at Sukkur CP No. 1115/2009 in its judgement ordered for recovery of forest land in entire Sindh province from illegal occupants / encroachers. Consequently, out of land measuring 1,051,326 acres, an area of 874,163 acres has been mutated by Revenue Department in favour of Sindh Forest Department. Whereas, the forest land more than 250,000 acres has so far been recovered from encroachers by NAB Sukkur. The efforts are under way to recover entire encroached forest land from grabbers.
DG NAB Sukkur said the menace of electricity theft has also been addressed with joint efforts of SEPCO & NAB Sukkur and an amount of Rs. 7.9 Billion in the year 2020 and Rs. 1.810 Billion in the year 2021 has so far been recovered.
He further informed the meeting that smuggling of Iranian oil is another sore area which compromised sale of PSO as well as the environment.
NAB Sukkur tackled it through prevention committee and checked the oil smuggling with the help of law enforcement agencies. Resultantly, PSO reported quantum of revenue of government increased up to 61% in the months of November & December 2020 and saved amount of Rs. 316.9 Million due to increase in sale. PSO has acknowledged the fact in writing.
DG NAB Sukkur informed that there are total 109 RO / UF water plants in Sukkur city which were not operational but now all of them are functioning due to the efforts made by NAB Sukkur in coordination with Public Health Engineering Department Sukkur under its prevention regime.
Mirza Muhammad Irfan Baig, informed the meeting that NAB Sukkur in all above NAB operations, total direct and indirect recovery made is Rs. 28.84 Billion in convictions u/s 10 & 25(B) of NAO, 1999, in wheat scam and electricity theft etc.
Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB appreciated the performance of NAB Sukkur under the supervision of Mirza Muhammad Irfan and hoped that NAB Sukkur will continue to perfom in future with same zeal and commitment.