ISLAMABAD - Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Wednesday authorised filing one corruption reference, four inquiries against various suspects including former finance minister Miftah Ismail, for inflicting losses to national exchequer. EBM, presided over by NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal authorised filing corruption reference against Syed Tajammul Hussain on the allegations of enticing the people for providing them non-existent jobs through advertisements of illegal testing company, despite having no posts.

EBM authorised conducting four inquiries against various personalities including former finance minister Miftah Ismail and others, two inquiries against officers and officials of National Highway Authority (NHA) and Irrigation and Revenue Department, Peshawar.

EBM authorised sending Malam Jabba case to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary in line with recommendation of the committee formed on direction of Peshawar High Court (PHC).

The case was sent to the Chief Secretary with the condition that in case of a stay order or other legal impediment, the case could only be taken up with the permission of authorised officer as per law.          

It may be mentioned here that petition in Malam Jabba case was filed by Samson Group of Companies in Peshawar High Court.

Speaking on the occasion, NAB Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal said that bureau’s priority was to take mega corruption cases especially sugar, flour, money laundering, fake accounts case, abuse of authority, assets beyond means, illegal housing societies and modarba scams to logical conclusion. Bureau has recovered directly or indirectly Rs 533 billion from corrupt elements in last three years.

Since inception, NAB has directly and indirectly recovered Rs 814 billion from corrupt elements which is a record.