Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal, on Saturday, ordered an inquiry into the alleged corruption of billions in at least 56 companies working under the Punjab government.
Taking notice of corruption and illegal appointments in 56 public limited companies of the PML-N led (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) provincial government, chairman NAB issued the orders.
According to Justice (Retd) Iqbal, NAB was receiving several complaints of corruption, uneven use of resources and irregularities in procurement following which the order to scrutinise the named companies was issued.
The top graft company has also asked Director General (DG) NAB Lahore to look into the matter. However, Justice (Retd) Iqbal also sent out clear instructions that none of the companies should be stopped from working during the probe.
“They (companies) must be allowed to continue work until evidence against them is gathered. All legal requirements should also be considered during the investigation,” said chairman NAB.
A mega corruption case of Rs 80 billion in Punjab companies is already underway at the Lahore High Court (LHC). The court has already sought a reply by the provincial government in the case while issuing notices to the heads of the companies and parties in the case.
