ISLAMABAD - After receiving rescue applications from terrified prime witnesses of multibillion rupees Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) scam, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has prepared protection letters but has not posted yet to the concerned authorities to ensure security of the threatened witnesses, sources told The Nation on Thursday.
According to sources, the federal watchdog would send these letters to the Inspector General of Police Punjab, Inspector General of Police Sindh, District Police Officer (DPO) Vehari and District Police Officer (DPO) Toba Taik Singh to make certain the protection of the prime witnesses of Gas Regulatory Authority scam.
Similarly, the federal watchdog has requested the concerned authorities that Dr Anwar Ali Sehto, Irfan Ahmed Khan, Shehzad Saleem Bhatti, Kashif Ishfaque, Zahid Latif and Hamid Mehmood should be provided with necessary security arrangements till the completion of trial of mega OGRA scam, the sources further added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of the NAB held at NAB Headquarters, presided by Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, authorised an inquiry against the officials of Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi for their alleged involvement in corruption, illegal payments and misappropriation of funds of a community school in United Arab Emirate (UAE).
In another case of corruption and assets beyond known sources of income against Rao Shakeel Ahmad, ex-deputy commissioner Multan, the EBM decided to seek further details from FIA.
Similarly, an inquiry that was under process against ex-chairman Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and others about misuse of authority was closed due to lack of supportive evidence.
Similarly, the hearing of NAB references against former President Asif Ali Zardari could not be held in Accountability Court on Thursday due to the lawyers’ strike. Accountability Judge adjourned the hearing of the case until March 13.
The lawyers are on strike in protest against recent terrorist attack on District Courts Islamabad.