An anti-corruption court on Tuesday granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial president Amir Muqam's son, Ishtiaq Ahmad into alleged corruption case. Ishtiaq Muqam was arrested by anti corruption unit of FIA on charges of corruption in Shang-Basham roads construction projects, incurring a loss of Rs 2 billion to national exchequer. After obtaining bail Ishtiaq Muqam expressed his satisfaction over his bail, adding cases against him were politically motivated.
The AC judge Syed Kamal Hussein after hearing the case and approved the bail plea of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial president Amir Muqam son, Ishtiaq Ahmad and his cousin by submitting surety bonds of Rs 0.5million and Rs0.5million each. The court also accepted the bail plea of three officials of National High Authority into the case.
The FIA had sent the all five allegedly accused in the misuse of funds in construction of road in Alpuri Shangla to jail on remand for 14 days. According to sources, the company concerned was supposed to complete the Shangla-Alpuri 35 km road project within one year with a cost of Rs 850 million. However, the cost reached Rs 2,800 million due to delay in the constriction.
On the occasion, PML-N leaders, activists and workers were present outside the anti-corruption court and chanted slogans in favour of Amir Muqam son, Ishtiaq Amir Muqam and against the PTI led federal and provincial governments.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter president Ameer Muqam over allegations of corruption and sent to jail on remand for 14 days.
The Anti-corruption claimed that it had recovered Rs 50 million from corrupt people during last five months. It said that around 15 FIRs had so far registered and arrested 36 accused during the above stated period.
Officials of the Anti-corruption said that nearly 27 cases, 356 inquiries and 1052 complaints had so far disposed off, whereas 89 cases, 1634 inquiries and 879 were still under investigation.
They said that a total of 547 complaints had transferred to the Anti-corruption after dissolution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesaab Commission (KPEC), out of which inquiry of 146 completed, while 401 are under proceeding.
According to the FIA, an inquiry into alleged corruption in construction of Alpuri Road in KP's Shangla district had been completed, after which Muqam's son Ishtiaq among five contractors were arrested.
The FIA said a case had also been registered pertaining to alleged corruption in construction of the said road, with the concerned project director, contractors National Highways Authority (NHA) officials and engineers nominated in it.
The agency suggested departmental action against 11 officials of the National Highway Authority and also recommended to black list Amir Muqam and co. The company was supposed to complete the Shangla-Alpuri 35 km road project within one year with a cost of Rs 850 million. However, the cost reached Rs 2,800 million due to delay in the constriction.