By: Shahid Jan
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested the former manager of the National Bank of Pakistan, Dasu Branch, and Zahoor Ahmed in the Kohistan financial scandal.
According to sources, Zahoor Ahmed is accused of allowing fraudulent cashing of treasury checks while ignoring important banking principles and monitoring systems during his appointment as branch manager from 2019 to 2022.
According to NAB sources, the investigation has revealed that the accused allegedly colluded with contractors and officers of the Communications and Works Department and transferred government funds to private accounts.
NAB sources say the former bank manager, Zahoor Ahmed, also opened a fake company account in the name of his brother, Construction AQ, through which more than Rs 1 billion was hidden through money laundering. The accused is also accused of playing a central role in keeping the scandal a secret. The accountability court has handed over the accused to NAB on an 8-day physical remand on NAB’s request, and NAB officials are investigating him further.
Read more: Kohistan financial scandal sparks provincial embarrassment, says PPP Leader
.Nine individuals accused in the Kohistan financial scandal case, linked to a Rs 40 billion scandal, have submitted plea bargain applications. The applications have been forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and will be presented in the accountability court
According to sources from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), a thorough investigation is ongoing concerning the properties owned by the arrested individuals. This includes shopping malls, bungalows, and other real estate valued in crores of rupees in Islamabad and Abbottabad.
NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported that contractor Ayub has submitted a plea bargain application for Rs 3.45 billion, which is seen as a significant development in this case.
Additionally, it is important to note that NAB has summoned PTI’s newly elected Senator Azam Swati twice regarding the Kohistan corruption scandal. After the first summons, NAB summoned him again on July 17, stating that his previous answers were unsatisfactory.
