The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB at NAB Headquarters. The following decisions were taken during the EBM. The EBM decided to authorise investigation against Asif Hashmi, ex-chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Pakistan Model Educational Institutions Foundation (PMEIF) and Management of ETPB/PMEIF. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority by making over 700 illegal appointments.
The EBM decided to authorise four inquiries. First inquiry was authorised against Dr Zafar Iqbal, ex-vice chancellor and Management of Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Sub Campus Lahore and others. In this case, the accused persons established Sub Campus of Federal Urdu University in Lahore in violation of rules and regulations and collected huge money from students. They cheated the students by misusing their authority.
Second inquiry was authorised against officers/officials of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and financial embezzlement. Thus caused a loss millions of rupees to the national exchequer. Third inquiry was authorised against Umair Steel Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for wilful loan default of Rs 42.590 million referred by the State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D.
Fourth inquiry was authorised against Bakht Zada Khan s/o Haji Sher Baz Khan and others. In this case, the State Bank of Pakistan through FMU referred the case as Suspicious Transition Report (STR). The EBM decided to re-authorise two inquiries. First inquiry was re-authorised against Dr Ehsan, Vice Chancellor, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misappropriation of University funds allocated for scholarships and endowment purpose. Thus caused a loss of Rs 1176 million to the national exchequer.
Second inquiry was re-authorised against officials of Sheladia Associates and others regarding corruption and corrupt practices in the construction of Barang Road in FATA funds were provided by USAID. Thus caused a loss of Rs 355.53 million to the national exchequer.
The EBM decided to close six inquiries. These pertains to inquiry against Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, ex-federal minister, inquiry against officers/officials of Civil Aviation Authority, inquiry against officers/officials of BISP and others, inquiry against Waseem Ahmed Ursani, ex-secretary Forest and others, inquiry against officers/officials of Revenue Department, Forest Department and others, and inquiry against Shahid Hussain Jatoi, ex-member Administration (FBR), Karachi and others. An investigation against officers/officials of NHA was also closed due to lack of incriminating evidence.
The EBM rejected the Plea Bargain (PB) request of Seth Nisar Ahmad s/o Muhammad Latif (Accountability Court Reference No 69/2007). At the end, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB said that NAB is committed to eradicate corruption by using all its resources and by adopting Zero Tolerance Policy. He directed all officers/officials of NAB to put in their best efforts in conduct of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations against corrupt in accordance with law, transparently and on merit.-PR