LAHORE: Ex-minister for industries and production Mian Manzoor Wattoo on Wednesday submitted answers of the questions asked by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in an inquiry related to illegal recruitments in the Utility Stores Corporation.
Wattoo, a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart, appeared before the accountability bureau’s Lahore office and submitted his reply on the NAB’s queries.
Responding to allegations leveled against him on the last appearance before NAB, Wattoo had said the jobs were awarded in the light of the federal cabinet decision in 2008. “It was decided to open 1,500 stores and generate 3,500 jobs”, he said. On March 7, the NAB had launched an inquiry of power abuse against Manzoor Wattoo.
According to sources, Manzoor Wattoo showered favors to favorites during his ministerial term in the year 2008 with illegal postings and recruitment. He had illegally hired over 400 employees in the corporation, the informed sources said.
Wattoo had joined PPP after winning two National Assembly seats in 2008 general election as an independent.
He served as federal minister for Industries and Production in the government of then Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.
