ISLAMABAD: A high level meeting presided over by National Accountability Bureau
(NAB) Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal held at NAB headquarters to review
the latest progress in logical conclusion of 179 mega corruption cases here on Monday.
According to an official handout, the meeting was informed out of 179 mega corruption cases, 63 such
cases have been concluded by various accountability courts due to vigorous prosecution of NAB. Whereas 95
mega corruption cases are still under trial in different
accountability courts and early hearing pleas are being filed in the
respected accountability courts as per law.
Javed Iqbal Chairman NAB said that priority of bureau is to eradicate the menace of
corruption and recovery of looted money from corrupt elements. NAB has
so far recovered Rs 714 billion directly and indirectly from corrupt
elements and deposited in the national exchequer. A sum of Rs 487
billion have been recovered directly and indirectly and deposited in
the national exchequer which is proof of excellent performance of NAB
as comparing to other anti corruption institutions. Some 1,230
corruption references having accumulated sum of Rs 943 billion are
under trial in different respected accountability courts.
The meeting was informed that from out of a total of 63 mega corruption
cases concluded. Of which the accountability courts have imposed
Rs 4.364 billion fine to various accused in 12 mega corruption cases. The
accused including Abdul Qadir Tawakal and others had been fined Rs
613 million, Ishtiaq Hussain , messers Bariq Syndicate, Rawalpindi
and others fined Rs 200 million, management of Pakistan Medical
Cooperative Housing Society and land suppliers fined Rs 70 million,
Haris Afzal son of Sher Muhammad and others Rs 1 billion, Seth Nisar
Ahmed and others Rs 179.069 million, Sheikh Muhammad Afzal, chief
Executive/Director Haris Steel Industry, private limited and others Rs
331 million, Raza Habib, Chief Executive, Mrs Shumaila, messers
Jannat Apparal, private limited Faisalabad Rs174 million, Sheikh
Muhammad Afzal Rs 435 million, management of Galaxy City Rawalpindi
and others Rs 213 million, Ayaz Khan Niazi, former chairman NICL and
others to Rs 900 million, Syed Murid Kazim, former provincial minister
for Revenue, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Ahsanullah, former senior member
Board of Revenue and others to Rs 200 million, Saeed Akhtar, Pakistan
Railways and others were fined Rs 3.78 million US dollars. Also the
bureau has recovered Rs 7.859 billion in voluntary return in six cases
and deposited in national exchequer. Of which Rs1.902 billion had been
recovered from Alhamra Hills and Eden Builders management, Rs 80
million has been recovered from management of Mazhar Kohsar Ahbab
Hosuing Society Jhando and others , Rs 313.308 million has been
recovered from M Amjad Aziz, chief executive officer, Divine
Developers private limited and others in plea bargain, Rs 14 million
has been recovered from Shahnawaz Marri, former provincial minister
for sports, Balochistan, Rs 5.5 billion was recovered in voluntary
return schneme from former project director Police Department ,
Balochistan Riaz Ahmed and the recovered amount has been deposited in the national exchequer.
The meeting was told that overall
Rs 1.256 billion has been recovered
from the culprits involved in four mega corruption cases through plea
bargain and the recovered amount has been deposited into national
exchequer. Of which Rs 300 had been recovered from Syed Masoom Shah,
former special assistant to former chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and others, Rs440 million from messers capital builders, private (new
Islamabad Garden, Islamabad) and others; Rs 311 million from the
management of messers Teletown private limited and land suppliers and
others; Rs 205 million from Rao Faheem Yasinm, Rao Naveed Yasin and
messers Wind mills Restaurant, Lahore , partners and others through
plea bargain. According to plea bargain law – is considered crime
according to 25 (b) in which plea baragain is being considered a crime
and agree to return the looted money. The final approval of plea
bargain is given by the relevant accountability court.
The meeting was further informed that two case had been referred to the relevant institutions for further action whereas one case has been merged with the other case. Further accountability courts had given verdict in favour of the accused in 11 mega corruption cases from out of a total
of 179 such cases. NAB has filed appeals against the exoneration of
the accused which are under trial right now. Furthermore 10, inquiries,
11 investigations are under trial whereas 95 references of mega corruption cases are under trial in different accountability
courts.
NAB Chairman Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal said that NAB is pursuing the
policy of accountability for all which has started pouring excellent
results. NAB is the focal institution of UN and chairman of anti
corruption forum of SAARC. NAB has also signed a MoU with China to
bring transparency in CPEC projects, which is honour for Pakistan due to NAB.
Various reputed national and international institutions have already
acknowledged the performance of NAB. Some 59 percent people have
expressed their confidence over NAB according to a survey conducted
by Gillani and Gallup . NAB has conviction ratio of 68.8 percent. NAB
has devised monitoring and evaluation system for prompt disposal of
complaint verification, inquiry, investigation to ensure consensus
decision making. NAB has no affiliation with any political party,
group or individual but with the state of Pakistan. NAB officers were
performing anti corruption duties in accordance with law. NAB has
established a forensic lab in Rawalpindi to provide modern facilities
to investigators and prosecutors. Chairman has directed regional
bureaus to conclude complaint verifications, inquiries and
investigations within stipulated time frame as per law. NAB is
ensuring to protect the self esteem of every visiting accused as it is
human friendly institution having firm faith of purging the country
from the menace of corruption.
