Assets beyond means case: NAB summons Fazlur Rehman on Oct 1

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a notice to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, ordering him to appear before its investigation team next month in an inquiry launched possessing assets beyond means.

The notice called upon the JUI-F chief to appear before CIT (combined investigation team)-I at NAB’s regional office on October 1 at 11:00 am in order to “record your statement/plea in the subject inquiry”.

Failure to comply with the notice may entail penal consequences as per the Schedule of NAO, 1999, the summons stated.

As per details, the order, issued under Section 19 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, was sent to Rehman’s residence in Dera Ismail Khel.

NAB in its notice stated that the inquiry is against ex-MNA Rehman and others regarding corruption and corrupt practices/accumulation of assets beyond means.

The subject inquiry had revealed that Rehman was “in possession of information, evidence whatsoever which relates to the commission of the said offense”, it added.

According to a letter sent to an additional director of NAB KP by the Islamabad headquarters of the accountability watchdog, NAB chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal had approved the “authorization of inquiry” against Rehman and others on Sept 14. An authorization letter signed by Iqbal on Sept 18 was also forwarded to NAB KP for necessary action.

Earlier, NAB’s KP office had issued a similar notice to a younger brother of Rehman, who is an officer of the provincial government, directing him to appear before a CIT in an inquiry launched on multiple charges, including possessing illegal assets.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on September 18 said that they have no association with any political party, group, or individual and they strictly believe in the policy of accountability for all.