Islamabad - Former Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Mir Shah Jahan Khetran was arrested from the Supreme Court premises on Monday after the cancellation of his bail.
The ex-MD is allegedly involved in multiple offences, including misappropriation of funds, illegal appointments and illegal leasing of corporation’s land. He was appointed managing director PTDC during the tenure of Pakistan Peoples Party government. However, the incumbent government removed him from the post on 1st December 2013.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja heard the bail application of Khetran. NAB Deputy Prosecutor Saeed Ahmed informed the court that they have filed reference against the former MD PTDC, but he was not cooperating with the NAB. The prosecutor further informed that the apex court had granted him bail on Rs 1 million surety bonds, and it was creating hurdles to try him in the accountability court. He told that many appointment letters bear the signature of Khetran, besides that not a single time the accused appeared before the investigation officer.
Advocate Sheikh Ahsanud Din, representing ex-MD, contended that there was no solid evidence against his client of unlawful appointments. The court after hearing the arguments rejected the bail.
The NAB had initiated investigation against Khetran after receiving a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office, suggesting it to take stern notice of alleged corruption. Khetran is accused of appointing 714 persons illegally in PTDC and also leasing out corporation land at low rates.