LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman retired justice Javed Iqbal visited the Lahore bureau and directed it to conclude investigations into all mega cases on merit at the earliest.

According to the NAB, its director general and combined investigation teams briefed the chairman about the Lahore bureau’s performance and all mega cases, including inquiry against Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and excise and taxation department officials for issuance of illegal liquor licence to a private hotel, money laundering reference against former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and his family, investigation against Noorul Amin Mengal and former Lahore Development Authority director general Ahad Khan Cheema for allegedly changing Lahore’s master plan, inquiry against former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah for allegedly making assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The chairman was also informed about the ongoing investigation against senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan.

During the briefing, Mr Iqbal directed the investigators to pursue all cases strictly on merit and bring them to their logical conclusion. He said the NAB had been struggling to root out corruption in the country. “The NAB officials don’t have any affiliation with any party or group except Pakistan,” he said and directed all the officials to complete complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations according to law so the corrupt elements could be brought to justice.

Justice Iqbal also directed the Lahore bureau to expedite cases against illegal housing societies and ensure recovery of the public’s looted money. He also ordered the arrest of all absconders and proclaimed offenders.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2020