PESHAWAR, Feb 21: The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday arrested a senior police officer and a contractor for embezzling funds during procurement of weapons, equipment and vehicles in 2009-10.

A news release issued by NAB said budget officer of police Javed Khan and contractor Arshad Majeed were arrested for causing huge loss valuing billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

It said more arrests would be made in the days to come.

The release said on receipt of complaints, NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorised an inquiry against the senior provincial police officers and others for alleged embezzlement in procurement of weapons, equipment and vehicles in 2009-10 by violating government rules and thus, causing a huge loss to the national kitty.

“At request of police department, the provincial government had approved purchase, upgrading weapon and equipment for its use to counter the unabated law and order and security situation in the province. Over Rs7 billion was released by the federal and provincial government for recruitment, training of police personnel and procurement of weapons and equipment during 2009-10,” it said.

The release said during inquiry, it was revealed that gross violation of procurement rules were committed by the purchase committee in awarding tenders to favourite contractors.

It added that most of the procurements were made through a contractor, who had no previous experience of supplying such items and for which payments were made in advance.

The release said the inspection committee were also found responsible for not carrying out tests/trials of weapons, ammunition and equipment according to procedure and obtained clearance reports from the agencies concerned which later proved wrong and that the persons concerned had booked.

It said the findings of the inquiry established involvement of senior police officers both retired and serving.