ISLAMABAD: Rejecting an impression that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has turned “soft” on the leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh, a spokesperson for the bureau claims that cases against many PPP leaders in the province are under progress. According to him, some cases have been closed due to lack of incriminating evidence.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the NAB spokesperson said that cases were initiated on the basis of complaints, adding that a preliminary probe was undertaken to ascertain the veracity of the complaints’ contents and genuineness of complainants.

The spokesperson gave details about the cases of some PPP leaders, including MNA Faryal Talpur, Sohail Muzaffar Tappi, Sohail Anwer Siyal, Jam Khan Shoro, Zia Ahmed Lanjar, Gianchand Israni, Ali Mardan Shah, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Pir Mazharul Haq, Ikram Dharejo, Mahar brothers of Ghotki and Manzoor Qadir Kaka.

He said the cases against politicians, particularly those belonging to a certain political party in Sindh, had not been closed by NAB.

The spokesperson said NAB had never instituted any case against Ms Talpur, whereas an inquiry was initiated against her husband, Mir Munawar Ali Talpur, in January 2016 on the basis of a complaint in which he was accused of accumulating assets beyond his known sources of income. Proceedings were carried out under the National Accountability Ordi­nance (NAO), 1999 in which records regarding his wealth were collected along with the recording of statements of individuals acquainted with the facts. Defence of Mr Talpur was also recorded.

The findings of the inquiry could not establish the charges which went through the scrutiny of the highest forum i.e. NAB’s Executive Board. The case was closed on Dec 21, 2016 on the basis of the fact that no incriminating evidence could come on record.

Mr Talpur was found to be in possession of assets made through his known sources of income.

The spokesman said no case against Sohail Muzaffar Tappi was ever initiated. However, on the basis of oral accounts revealed in a case related to allotment of land in Karachi in which he allegedly influenced some government functionaries, he was included in the inquiry proceedings and a notice was issued to him.

He said a complaint against Mr Siyal for allegedly accumulating assets beyond his known sources of income was under process.

He said no case had ever been initiated against Mr Shoro. However, a complaint was received against him regarding illegal occupation of land in Hyderabad for which preliminary probe was under way to ascertain whether or not a formal inquiry against him could be initiated.

With regard to the cases against the Sindh Local Government Department, any official or office holder shall be proceeded as and when solid evidence comes on record.

An inquiry against Mr Lanjar on the allegations that he has accumulated assets beyond his known sources of income and money laundering was initiated by the NAB Sukkur.

The spokesperson said the inquiry was completed on the basis of preliminary incriminating evidence and thorough legal scrutiny, adding that an investigation would be conducted after which a reference would be filed in the accountability court.

According to the NAB spokesperson, inquiries against Gianchand Israni and Ali Mardan Shah on the allegations that they had accumulated assets beyond their known sources of income were initiated. The cases were closed after a thorough inquiry into the allegations. The charges could not be proved against them as no incriminating evidence came on record. The wealth of the individuals was justified on the basis of various counts that included inheritance, shared joint properties of family members and old acquisitions.

He said no case had ever been instituted against Mr Chawla. There was also no substantive complaint against him.

Inquiries regarding allegedly illegal appointments in the Sindh education department during Pir Mazharul Haq’s tenure as minister were initiated. After investigation five references were filed in the accountability court. The references are now under trial. The alleged illegal appointments were made in Mirpurkhas, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro and Hyderabad districts of Sindh.

According to the spokesperson, no case was instituted against Ikram Dharejo and Mahar Brothers of Ghotki by NAB.

There are seven cases (five inquiries, two investigations) under process against Mr Kaka on various allegations involving illegal allotments of amenity plots, illegal consolidations of land, illegal appointments in Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), illegal approvals of building plans etc. However, references will be filed after complete process of legal scrutiny.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2018