The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has finalised as many as 643 corruption cases against government officials working in federal and provincial government departments, besides recovering Rs 1,189.201 million between 2008 and 2011, Federal Law Minister Farroq H Naek informed the Senate on Thursday.
In a written reply, the minister submitted that during the same period, as many as 395 case against federal and provincial government officials were in various stages of investigations. Major allegations for which these officials were being prosecuted are: corruption and corrupt practices, misuse of authority as holder of public office, cheating of public at large, bank defaults and misappropriation of public money.
He stated that as per laid down procedure, complaints received under Section 18 of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) of 1999 were processed and verified, ascertaining the authenticity of the allegations. In the second stage, the complaint is referred for formal authorisation of inquiry u/s 18 (c) of NAO for obtaining evidence and establishment of criminality of the alleged person(s) before formal authorisation of investigation.
During the inquiry, if it is established that the case is prima facie warranted for investigation and subsequently filing of references in the court of law, an investigation is authorised, the minister stated. During the Question-Hour Senator Nuzuhat Sadiq asked the Minister for Communications to inform the House about financial losses suffered by the country on account of road damages caused by Nato supply vehicles over the past four and a half years and steps taken to arrange finances for repairs.
Replying to the Question, State Minister for Communications Mir Dost Muhammad Mazari informed the Upper House that estimated rehabilitation cost of NHA network frequently used by overloaded vehicles of Nato/ Isaf/US transit freight over the years was approximately $1,463.66 million. However, the USAID agreed to finance the rehabilitation of the Peshawar-Torkham Road (N5) at a cost of $67 million.
However, negotiations with the USAID were under way for financing the rehabilitation of the Kalat-Quetta-Chaman route (N-25). In reply to another question tabled by Colonel (Retd) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Mazari said that measures for rehabilitation of damage caused by 2012 floods had been taken for opening up roads and Rs 121 million had so far been committed.
Meanwhile, damages caused by the flood in 2011 had been restored through ongoing routine maintenance contracts under the Annual Maintenance Plan 2011-12 at a cost of Rs 2.236 billion. The State Minister further informed the House that the NHA had planned reconstruction of the damages caused by 2010 floods through the Asian Development Bank's loan ($245 million) and Chinese grant ($190 million) in total 46 contract packages.