ISLAMABAD, March 28: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has violated the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and transferred about 30 officers in grades 18 to 20, including directors, deputy directors and general managers.

An officer at the NHA said that more transfers were expected. About 100 officers close to former communications minister Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan were likely to be sent to far-off places like Quetta and Gilgit.

He said the former minister had favoured the officers by giving them prized postings. He also accused the officers of committing corruption.

When contacted, ECP spokesman Khursheed said the ban on transfers was intact.

The NHA would be asked to justify the transfers and if it failed to satisfy the ECP the transfers would be cancelled, he said.