The National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) Executive Board on Wednesday approved reference against Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani in the assets beyond means case. The Executive Board meeting was chaired by Chairman NAB former Justice Javed Iqbal, where the go-ahead for filing of three references including one against Durrani was given.
The current speaker Sindh Assembly has been accused of misusing his authority to create illegal assets. The NAB said that Durrani caused a loss of Rs 1.6 billion to the national exchequer. The Bureau had arrested Durrani from a hotel in Islamabad in February this year.
The corruption watchdog also approved filing of references against former Executive Director Lok Virsa Mazharul Islam and Education Director of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Afzal Manan. Mazharul Islam is being accused of misusing authorities in awarding contracts on nepotism which caused Rs 30.13 million loss to the national exchequer.
The Bureau approved filing of a reference against the erstwhile FATA education director Afzal Manan over alleged illegal appointment of teachers, which caused loss of around Rs 117.3 million to the national kitty.
The Executive Board also approved 12 inquiries against former Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani, former provincial minister Sher Azam Wazir, Ali Ghulam Nizamani, Saeed Khan Nizamani, Mohammad Sohail, former DG Malir Development Authority, Asmatullah and others.
The Board also decided to close inquiry against former federal minister Hafiz Abdul Kareem, Usman Abdul Karim, Anis Abdul Karim, Dr Najeeb Haider and others. The Executive Board also closed investigations against owners of M/s AM Construction Company Private Limited and officials of Communication and Works department on the basis of lack of proofs.
The NAB chairman directed the Bureau's officers to take corruption cases to their logical conclusion on a priority basis as per laws. He said that 'Accountability for All' policy is strictly being followed. All means would be utilised to eliminate corruption and bring back looted money, the chairman said, adding that corruption is the root cause of all evils.