ISLAMABAD - The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) yesterday decided to authorize two investigations and seven inquiries against politicians, businessmen and government officials.

The NAB meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry at the NAB Headquarters and also re-authorized inquiries.

The meeting authorized first inquiry against Gian Chand Israni, ex-Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Sindh, and others. In this case, the accused persons are alleged for accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income.

The second inquiry was authorized against Muhammad Tariq Ali, the owner of M/s Data lubricants and others on the allegations of wilful loan default of Rs. 52.942 million referred by State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D.

The EBM authorized third inquiry against the officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority in the procurement of petroleum products and caused a loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer. The fourth inquiry was authorized against Sponsors, Directors and Management of M/s Capital Vision Securities (Pvt) Ltd, Brokers of Pakistan Stock Exchange Ltd and others. The accused persons were alleged for cheating public at large in this case and Bureau was received a complaint from Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The fifth inquiry was authorized against the officials of Sindh Agriculture Department and others in case of embezzlement of funds of subsidized Tractor Scheme. The sixth inquiry was authorized against Ghulam Qadir Palijo, ex-MPA District Thatta, Sindh. In this case, the accused person is alleged for accumulation of assets beyond the known sources of income.

The last and seventh inquiry was authorized by NAB EBM against Sponsors, Directors and Management of M/s Stock Street (Pvt) Ltd, Brokers of Pakistan Stock Exchange Ltd and others in case of cheating public at large.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM) also decided to authorize two investigations and the first investigation was authorized against officials of National Housing Authority, Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) and M/s Universal Enterprises. The accused persons were alleged for embezzlement of government funds and caused a loss of Rs. 18.9 million to the national exchequer in this case.

Another investigation was authorized against officials of Pakistan Tobbaco Board (PTB) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority, corruption and corrupt practices through illegal appointments in the Pakistan Tobacco Board.

The EBM re-authorized investigation against Sher Azam Khan, ex-Minister for Labour, KP, and Muhammad Tariq Awan, Secretary Workers Welfare Board, and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for corruption and corrupt practices in acquisition of land measuring 260 kanals at Mouza Shahi Bala, Peshawar, and allegedly receipt of commission and caused a loss of Rs 151.58 million to the national exchequer.

The EBM decided to re-authorize three inquiries and the first inquiry was re-authorized against Sardar Hayat Khan Mandokhel of M/s Exceed (Pvt) Ltd and others. The accused persons were alleged for non-payment of land rent of 79 acres, situated in Saidpur Village, Islamabad, and caused a loss of Rs. 455.7444 million to the national exchequer in this case.

The second inquiry was re-authorized against officials of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and embezzlement of Abdul Wali Khan University funds in procurement of various items.

The EBM also closed two inquiries and the first inquiry was against officials of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and second inquiry against Muhammad Asim Kurd, former Minister for Finance, Balochistan, and others with respect to Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) due to lack of incriminating evidence.