KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau court sent Muhammad Javed Hanif, former chairman of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand.
The accused is involved in a case of charges of corruption, corrupt practices and abuse of authority for illegally appointing employees in KPT.
On Tuesday, investigation officer of NAB produced the above-mentioned suspect before the court and submitted that he is involved in charges of corruption, corrupt practices and abuse of authority for illegally appointing 940 employees in KPT in connivance with [MQM’s] Babar Ghauri, the then minister for ports and shipping. He further argued that the appointments were made in violation of KPT law, rules and regulations “without advertisement of vacancies, competitive process, age criteria, medical examination of appointees and in violation of basic formalities”.
He further informed the court that a large number of those appointed had a criminal record in serious cases such as “terrorism, premeditated murder and robbery” and that the illegal appointments resulted in losses to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs2.8 billion.
Investigation officer requested the court that NAB needs further investigation from said suspect; therefore, the court may send back him to NAB custody. After hearing, the court declined request of the NAB officials and sent him to jail.
The court directed investigation officer to produce progress report on next date of hearing. The court also directed jail authorities to produce the above-mentioned suspect on next date of hearing.
