Fake accounts case: NAB executive board approves first reference

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) executive board on Tuesday granted approval for filing of the first reference pertaining to the fake bank accounts case. NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal chaired the executive board meeting which granted approval for the filing of six corruption references, including one pertaining to the fake bank account case. According to the notification of the anti-graft watchdog, it stated, “Approval was granted for the filing of a reference against Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majeed, chief executive officer Omni Group of companies, and others.” It further stated that the suspects are accused of fake bank accounts and illegally regularising seven acres of official land. The suspects caused a Rs1.422 billion loss to the national exchequer." The executive board of the NAB also gave the go-ahead for the filing of a reference against Ijaz Ahmed Khan, former secretary Special Initiative Department Sindh. The former secretary of Special Initiative Department is accused of misuse of power and favouritism in awarding supply scheme contracts, the notification read. The suspect caused a loss of Rs29.25 million to the national exchequer, it added. A reference against  Ali Gohar Dahri and others has also been accorded approval. As per the notification, the suspects are accused of misuse of power and illegal appointments. The suspects caused a loss of Rs74.85 million to the national exchequer, it said. Further, the executive board granted approval for the filing of a reference against former CDA Planning Wing director general Ghulam Sarwar Sindhu and others. The suspects have been accused of corruption and misuse of power in allotting 4.5 acres of land for a shuttle bus service in the diplomatic enclave. This caused a loss of Rs408.32 million to the national exchequer, the notification upheld. Approval was also given for a reference against former secretary of Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) Iftikhar Rahim Khan and others over charged of corruption and embezzlement of funds. The suspects caused a loss of Rs466 million to the national exchequer, according to the notification. The notification further stated that a reference against former administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Muhammad Hussain Syed has also been approved. Addressing a meeting, the NAB chairman said that the corruption will be removed from the roots. Javed Iqbal said that they are committed to take the mega corruption cases to their logical conclusion. Indiscriminate actions to continue against corrupt people. He vowed to continue across the board actions to root out corruption from Pakistan. The NAB chief said the bureau was striving hard for corruption free Pakistan and to achieve this goal indiscriminate actions were underway countrywide. He underlined the need to eliminate menace of corruption for the uplift of the country. Javed Iqbal said that the anti-graft watchdog body recovered Rs303bn despite same into government’s kitty and deposited looted money to national exchequer.