By Ali Imran
RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau has expanded a probe against Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, media reported on Saturday.
The anti-graft watchdog has decided to inquire into alleged irregularities in Hajj advertising campaign, sources said.
The NAB will collect complete record of the advertising campaign for Hajj during past two years, according to the sources. The accountability bureau will also collect the record from the advertising agencies and the Press Information Department (PID), sources said.
The NAB has decided to scrutinize the Hajj advertising campaign after allegations of irregularities, sources said. It is to be mentioned here that NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had earlier authorized conducting verfication of a complaint regarding power abuse, against the minister over his alleged involvement in renting out a government building to his business partner.
According to sources, the complaint cell of NAB will collect complete information of the assets of the religious affairs minister Noorul Haq Qadri. After verification of complaints an inquiry could be launched against the minister. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday said it had initiated a probe against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh for illegally selling government land.
The bureau, in its letter to the deputy commissioner Malir, has requested for all records pertaining to the selling of 253 acres of government land illegally along with details of his farmhouse and other documents.
“In connection with a complaint being processed in this Bureau, it is revealed that 253 acres of government land situation in District Malir Karachi has been illegally occupied/sold by Haleem Adil Sheikh and others in connivance with the officers/ officials of Board of Revenue District Malir Karachi,” the letter said, adding, ACE, East Zone Karachi also conducted an inquiry into the matter.
The documents requested by the Bureau include ownership title/documents of Country Chalet Farm Houses Project, Deh Kharkaro, ownership title/documents of Palm Village Resorts Project and any other information relevant to the subject matter. The letter further said an anti-corruption unit has already completed an inquiry against the PTI leader which the Bureau has also requested. DC Malir has been directed to submit the records by July 27.Moreover, NAB sources said Sheikh had used the government land for commercial purposes.
Earlier, reports of Sheikh being involved in a land scam had emerged. The PTI leader was said to have illegally allotted 207 acres of state land, worth Rs410 million.
