Anti-graft body fires 23 officials

Deputy director who was accused of land seizures among those in hot water

Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has dismissed 23 of its officers over misconduct and negligence. At least 32 others have been handed various penalties.

Disciplinary action has been initiated by the NAB chairman, Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal, against 85 NAB officials, according to a spokesman of the apex anticorruption organisation.

“The NAB chairman is of the view that self-accountability is necessary towards adoption of ‘Accountability for All’. NAB is absolutely committed to eradication of corruption from the country across the board,” the spokesman said.

Corruption, misconduct

Mohammad Ramzan Khan, deputy director, NAB Lahore, was suspended on charges of inefficiency and negligence in performance of official duties with immediate effect.

An inquiry has been ordered for completion of formalities, including that an opportunity given to Ramzan Khan to defend charges against him according to the law.

NAB has also suspended its Sukkur acting deputy director, Kashif Mumtaz Gondal, on charges of corruption, misconduct for three months and a formal inquiry has begun against him.

Reports suggested many complaints were lodged against Gondal not only with NAB but also with police and a case was being heard against him in the court of Justice of Peace in Mandi Bahauddin. Gondal was reportedly accused of depriving people of their land by occupying it illegally and using police for threatening people who raised voices against him.

“Gondal is known as one of the most ‘powerful’ officers of NAB who has links with top politicians and bureaucrats and was allegedly involved in getting ‘undue’ favours by misusing his office”, Dawn newspaper reported.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family are facing three corruption cases in the accountability court after the NAB filed references against them in light of the Panama Papers case verdict.