LAHORE: The Ministry of Railways has constituted a four-member committee to coordinate with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with six high-profile corruption references involving Pakistan Railways (PR) and private entities, official sources said.
The development follows the recent submission of references to NAB after the Pakistan Railways administration was unable to take action on the cases due to prolonged litigation and administrative constraints. Officials said the move was taken as a last resort to ensure further investigation through the accountability watchdog.
According to sources, the committee has been formed to maintain liaison with NAB and to facilitate investigations by providing required documentation and verified information. The panel is headed by M. Hafeezullah, General Manager Infrastructure, who has been designated as the focal person. Other members include Shahid Abbas Malik, Director General Property and Land; Tariq Anwar Sipra, Chief Commercial Manager; and Salman Kazmi, Legal Adviser.
In a letter addressed to the NAB chairman, the ministry stated that the nominated committee would be responsible for supplying relevant records, including contracts, financial details, and verified comments, as and when required during the course of investigations.
The references currently under NAB’s consideration include a case titled “Four Brothers Train Operator of Pak Business Express,” involving an alleged amount of Rs2.762 billion. Another reference pertains to the recovery of Rs2.160 billion in outstanding rentals from M/s MHPL related to the leasing of Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, which involves 141 acres of PR land.
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Other cases include the lease or swap of Pakistan Railways land for the construction of Businessmen Trust Shalimar Hospital in Lahore, involving land measuring 18 acres and an estimated value of Rs23 billion. Also under investigation are land lease charges against Etisalat/PTCL at Chaman, involving Rs13.012 billion and 6.03 acres of land.
According to the railways minister, in a recent meeting with the NAB, the PR authorities discussed the cases in depth and reached a consensus on investigation.https://t.co/xgrR07RDqT
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Additional references relate to the alleged illegal occupation of PR land by M/s Gul Ahmed at Jumma Goth, Karachi, involving land measuring 42 acres and an estimated value of Rs2 billion, and the illegal leasing and possession of five food godowns and one office at Mardan Railway Station, involving two acres of land valued at approximately Rs250 million.
Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said the cases had remained pending for a long period due to extensive litigation initiated by the defendants. He said the decision to approach NAB was made after detailed discussions with the bureau.
According to the minister, during a recent meeting with NAB officials, the railways authorities requested a formal investigation into the cases, following which the NAB chairman asked for the nomination of a committee to assist by providing the necessary records and information.
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