LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Lahore has forwarded a corruption reference to its chairman for final approval against some fraudulent housing societies.

NAB Lahore Director General (DG) Amjad Majeed Aulakh held a monthly open court session here on Monday where a large number of affected people came to seek prompt resolution of their complaints.

They were victims of the Prime Zone scandal, ForU Real Traders, Elite Town, Sadaat Cooperative Housing Society, Zaitoon City and Fahad Town, Manawan.

Updating the Prime Zone scandal, the DG revealed that NAB had forwarded corruption reference to the NAB chairman for final approval after completing the investigation on merit.

He said all suspects in the case were apprehended during the course of investigation and efforts were under way to repatriate the absconding prime suspect Imran from abroad via Interpol.

However, evidence of embezzlement to the tune of Rs850 million had been collected, meanwhile, all known properties of the accused frozen.

Addressing complaints regarding ForU Real Traders, he said the claims amounting Rs1.6bn from 2,300 affectees had been received so far, however, the process of issuing call up notices was underway on fast-track basis.

He emphasized that WhatsApp groups were also created to ensure prompt communication with all victims, following instructions from the NAB chief.

Investigation revealed that the company had no operational business in Pakistan and solely relied on redistributing investors’ funds as profit, constituting fraud.

Regarding complaints about Elite Town Housing Society, Mr Aulakh said main suspect Kashif was apprehended over allegations of defrauding 1,400 individuals with Rs1.4bn. He announced the freezing of assets worth more than Rs2bn belonging to the society’s administration and anticipated significant progress in the upcoming months, ensuring compensation for the affected individuals.

On complaints about Sadaat Cooperative Housing Society, Mr Aulakh instructed accelerating investigations into allegations of alleged embezzlement involving nearly 100 plots in the society.

For Zaitoon City refund seekers, the DG issued on the spot instructions to the officers to process refunds promptly. Addressing the widow claimant in the Double Shah scandal, DG NAB directed re-verification of her claim with immediate submission of a progress report.

Speaking to the complainants, he said that more than Rs16 billion was recovered during 2024, and losses of over 18,000 affectees were compensated. He affirmed that complaints lodged during open courts receive immediate attention. He reiterated NAB’s unique role as Pakistan’s sole national institution providing relief in fraud and embezzlement cases.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024