Rana Tassaddiq Hussain
Islamabad
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has ordered formal investigation into allegations against National Highway Authority officers whose assets have “ballooned to billions of rupees.”
According to reliable sources in NAB more than 17 officers who held prized postings of NHA have been served with notices by the NAB to come up with details about assets procured by them in own or titles of their dependents on a prescribed performa for evaluation by the NAB on merit with a given timeline.
The said action reportedly has been taken on exclusive stories published by Daily Pakistan Observer under the caption of Malfeasance and nepotism in NHA affairs Estab Div, Communications, NHA turn a deaf ear to court orders published on 17.7.2020 and another story under caption “Financial debacle worth trillions goes unnoticed in NHA SC, NAB need to act upon news before too late” published on 22.7.2020.
Meanwhile officers currently on deputation to NHA including member admin, member finance have started manipulating for new roles with the connivance of their masters holding top influential offices like Chief Secretary Punjab.
Jawwad Rafique Malik who held top management postions including chairman national highway authority and secretary Communications is likely to be summoned by the NAB in couple of issues vis a vis direct or indirect involvement, sources maintained.
A reference with regards to corruption and misuse of authority by Jawwad Rafique Malik during his tenure of appointment as commissioner Lahore in “Saaf Pani” and “Parking Plaza Case” was pending with National Accountability Bureau, Lahore. However the same was brushed aside by the Establishment Division while posting him as Chief Secretary, Punjab for reasons best known to the principal secretary’s office.
