ISLAMABAD: The Regional Board Meeting (RBM) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approved three investigations for filing of reference.
The meeting, held with Director General, NAB Rawalpindi, Irfan Naeem Mangi in chair, was attended by Deputy Prosecutor General Accountability, Nouman Aslam Director Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Directors and other concerned officers.
The first investigation, approved for reference, was against Ismail Zafar Ex-Conservator, Saleemullah Khan EX-DFO and Qadardan EX-RFO, regarding illegal cutting/transportation of timber from Makhley Forest and Minar Forest Gilgit-Baltistan during Timber Policy 2013. The second investigation, approved for filing of reference, was against Saleemullah Khan Ex-DFO Astore, Fareedullah Khan Ex-Superintendent and Muhammad Iqbal, Forest Lessee regarding transportation of illegal cutting timber from Chilas Forest Division without collection of fine during Timber Policy 2013.
The responsible officers/officials of Forest Department have already been arrested and are presently in judicial custody.
The third investigation, approved for filing of reference, was regarding illegal appointments/ adjustments in National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care GB wherein officials of lower grades were appointed against higher posts in violation of rules/regulations and on basis of fake documents by the then Secretary Health, Provincial Coordinator, and Director Health.
In addition, a new investigation against officials of forest department GB was also authorized regarding illegal cutting of timber in HookarGah, Gilgit forest due to which loss caused to national exchequer was estimated to be around Rs. 40 million. The Board also authorized a fresh inquiry against officials of Health Department GB regarding illegal appointments of Junior Medical Technicians in various districts of GB. Director General Rawalpindi said under direction from Chairman NAB, Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal, NAB was committed to eradicating corruption by ensuring accountability for all through effective enforcement and prosecution as well as by raising awareness among general public.
