Appointments in PWD: Physical remand of two ministry officials extended till November 14

An accountability court on Friday extended physical remand of two officials of Ministry of Housing and Works till November 14 in connection with an ongoing inquiry regarding illegal appointments against senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and former federal minister for housing and works Akram Khan Durrani.

The NAB officials produced Mukhtar Badshah Khattak, member Departmental Selection Committee, and Muhammad Atif Malik, chief admin officer Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir on expiry of their physical remand.

The NAB officials requested the court to extend physical remand of the accused for another seven days in order to conduct further investigation. The NAB has received one forensic report on Thursday night and is waiting for three other forensic reports. The NAB wants to further probe the suspects after receiving all forensic reports, they further told the court.

The court extended physical remand of the accused for another six days and told the NAB officials, "It is last remand of the suspects. Conduct whatever investigations you want to conduct during these days."

According to NAB, Khattak played a key role in illegal recruitment of employees in Pak PWD. Muhammad Atif Malik allegedly gave illegal benefits to applicants and helped them in issuance of fake domiciles for getting jobs in Pak PWD in violation of rules.

The NAB officials also said the accused have held meetings with Durrani and now the NAB wants to ascertain the role of Durrani in the illegal appointments.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019