LOWER DIR: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has decided to close an inquiry against the officials of Timergara Medical College (TMC), District Headquarters Hospital Timergara and others including the Health Department’s former director general Dr Shaukat Ali.

According to a letter of KP NAB, bearing number 1/849/IW-II/NABKP280476/1224, addressed to the Health Department’s secretary, copy of which is available with Dawn, the provincial NAB authorities approved closure of the inquiry into corrupt practices and misuse of authority against the said officials.

The letter said the case was inquired under the provisions of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, against the officials for corruption and misuse of authority in purchasing 340 kanals of land for TMC doctors’ colony, procurement of medical equipment and making illegal appointments.

According to the letter’s contents, the closure of inquiry only related to the allegations mentioned above and it would not affect any other case, if already under investigation against the said officials.

Talking to local journalists at Timergara here on Sunday, the former DG health Dr Shaukat Ali said the NAB inquiry had proved him and his officers as not-guilty. He said that he would now file a defamation suit against the elements involved in his character assassination.

Dr Shaukat Ali was suspended from services after several inquiries were launched against him.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024