PESHAWAR, Nov 20: The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday arrested former provincial police officer (PPO) Malik Naveed Khan over the charge of receiving kickbacks in the multi-billion rupees procurement of weapons and vehicles for police department.

Official sources said Mr Naveed was asked to visit the NAB regional headquarters in Hayatabad for a meeting in connection with the same case and he was arrested when he showed up.

They said the accused would be produced before a local accountability court today (Thursday) for physical remand.

The officials said after receiving complaints, NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had ordered an inquiry against police officers and others over alleged embezzlement of funds in procurement of weapons, equipment and vehicles during 2008-09 and 2009-10 years by violating government procurement rules.

At request of police, the provincial government had approved the purchase of weapons and equipment for them to counter terrorism. Over Rs7 billion was released by the government for the said procurements.

NAB claimed that during inquiry, it was revealed that gross violation of procurement rules were committed by the purchase committee in awarding tenders to favourite contractors, who had no previous experience of supplying such items and for which payments were made in advance.

In the instant case, private contractor Arshad Majeed and budget officer of police Javed Khan were arrested on Feb 21, 2013 but the former was released on bail by the high court after he turned approver and agreed to voluntarily return Rs102 million.Later on May 25, 2013, Arshad Majeed recorded his statement under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure wherein he named several people, including Mr Naveed, of receiving kickbacks from him for awarding him lucrative contracts.

The former PPO, who retired on Aug 30, 2010, had earlier moved the Peshawar High Court in June 2013 requesting to quash the proceedings against him by NAB. He had also challenged the statement recorded by Arshad Majeed. The high court, however, turned down the request.

Arshad Majeed, in his statement, had disclosed about payments to the tune of over Rs1 billion to several people, including Mr Naveed, as kickbacks for awarding lucrative contracts and cover-up of the issue.

He had alleged that he had paid Rs360 million to the ex-IGP Mr Naveed in three installments and had also purchased nine air conditioning units for his personal residence.

Arshad Majeed had further alleged that he had paid about Rs420 million in cash to Javed Khan for the assistance in preparation of tender document, using influence in approving the bids, arranging funds and making advance payments.

He claimed that during the period of Mr Naveed as commandant of Frontier Constabulary he developed relations with him and later on during 2008 he was posted as IGP.

He added that he was running normal business of supply of clothing and food items to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and FC.

The accused claimed that in early 2008, he was conveyed through budget officer that police were going to procure huge quantity of arms and ammunition and other security equipments and he was told to apply for prequalification for the purpose.