ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: Despite tall claims of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that it would provide security to its Investigation Officers (IOs), a number of them investigating high-profile cases are still bereft of this official protection.

Those living in jeopardy include the main investigator of the Rental Power Project (RPP), Asghar Khan.

NAB officials say on condition of anonymity that after the death of Kamran Faisal on January 18, their seniors had promised to provide them security.

NAB Chairman Admiral (retired) Fasih Bokhari assured them that their safety and security were his responsibility when the protesting IOs met him on Monday.

Faisal had been investigating the RPP case which also implicates Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

These IOs are investigating important cases such as RPP, Karkey Rental Power Plant, Royal Palm Golf Club, Bakers City and Ogra cases. They were also promised accommodation in protected and secure houses.

Dawn has learnt that Asghar Khan, the main investigation officer in the RPP case and a deputy director at NAB, has not yet been provided any protection.

“Khan was living at the Federal Lodges where his associate Faisal was found dead under mysterious circumstances. After Faisal’s death he moved to a friend’s house where he felt safer,” a NAB official told Dawn.

On Wednesday, Khan came to the Supreme Court in the car of a friend. He is also said to have started carrying a pistol.

Khan confirmed that “neither security nor a safe accommodation” had been provided to him so far. “I am still not ready to resume the investigation of the RPP case, after Faisal’s death,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Khan had recorded his statement before police in connection with Faisal’s death. He said in the statement, that although he was the supervisor, Faisal was the “custodian of sensitive evidence and information”.

Describing Faisal as hard working, honest and shy, Khan said in his statement that he was among the NAB officials who entered Faisal’s room after the latter’s death. Khan said in his statement that Faisal’s death was mysterious. While Khan is not saying much to the media other NAB officials are pushing for a more objective investigation into Faisal’s death.

Some of them are preparing a fact-sheet of sorts which they plan to submit to the court hearing the case about Faisal’s death.

The fact-sheet will highlight evidence or reasons that disprove the generally held belief that Faisal committed suicide. It contains facts including that the chair Faisal is alleged to have stood on to hang himself did not allow him to reach high enough to put the rope around his neck. They also plan to point out that the lights in Faisal’s room were switched off — this means that he had tied a rope around his neck while standing on a chair in the dark. This once again is not usual in suicides.