ISLAMABAD: Railways General Manager Saeed Akhtar was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday on charges of misappropriation.

A spokesman for the bureau which has set up a special cell to investigate several corruption cases concerning the railways confirmed the arrest. According to sources, Mr Akhtar was arrested when he left his office in Pak Secretariat. They said some leaders of parties in the ruling coalition and senior military officers were also involved in the cases.

However, NAB is reported to be considering to close the cases against the politicians and prepare references against bureaucrats.

NAB officials said the bureau had ended investigation into the loss caused by the award of a contract for scrap.

They said one of the accused in a scam, former railways secretary Samiul Haq Khilji, was out of the country and Interpol’s help would be sought for his arrest.

The department’s Chief Controller (Stores), Khalid Mohiuddin, is also in NAB’s custody.

The bureau acquired the record relating to the scams from the Federal Investigation Agency which had been earlier assigned to look into the cases.

“Investigation related to Pakistan Railways has been expedited and officials concerned are being summoned almost every day to NAB’s Lahore headquarters,” an official said.

The cases include the sale of scrap worth millions of rupees at throwaway prices and purchase of items for 69 locomotives.

The scrap deal was finalised when Mr Khilji was secretary, railways.

Another case pertains to allotment of railways land for setting up the Royal Palm club in Lahore.

A case about recent procurements for stores is also likely to be referred to the bureau.