NAB reviews probes against opposition leaders.

Byline: Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD -- The NatAional Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday revieAwed progress in investigations into corruption allegedly committed by former prime ministers Nawaz ShaArif and Shahid Khaqan AbbAasi, former president Asif Zardari and Leader of the Opposition in the NatAional Assembly Shahbaz ShaArif, his sons and 'cronies'.

The matter was discussed at a meeting chaired by NAB chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal at the bureau's headquarters.

'The meeting reviewed progress on the ongoing inquiries/investigations of mega corruption... of former prime minister Nawaz ShaArif, former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, Hamza ShaAhbaz, Salman Shahbaz, HasAsan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Ahad Cheema, Fawad Hassan Fawad, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Miftah Ismael, Imran ul Haq Sheikh and others,' said a press release issued by the anti-graft watchdog.

The meeting also revAiewAed progress in the investigations into fake accounts cases against Mr Zardari, Abdul Ghani Majeed, Anwar Majeed and others, besides reviewing recovery of looted money and depositing it in the national exchequer.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy chairman of NAB Hussain Asghar and other senior officials, including the prosecutor general, director general (operations), DG NAB Rawalpindi and director generals of other regional bureaus through video link.

The NAB top command also discussed investigations against 56 companies of Punjab and latest situation about recovery of looted money from CEOs of public limited companies and the process of depositing it in the national exchequer.

The meeting also reviewed progress in investigations in sugar and wheat scandals, especially embezzlement of wheat in Sindh and recovery of Rs10 billion.

Cases regarding Kachhi canal, Gwadar Development Authority, progress in inquiries/investigations in the affairs of 435 offshore companies against Saifullah brothers, Aleem Khan and others and mutual legal assistance applications sent to different countries, on-going inquiries/investigations against Khyber Bank, Peshawar, Amir Muqam, retired Capt Safdar, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Akram Durrani and probes into fake cooperative housing societies and Modaraba/Musharaka scams in which NAB had arrested 45 accused were also reviewed.

Participants of the meeting decided to utilise all available resources for return of looted money from corrupt elements.

The meeting also reviewed measures taken for the arrest of proclaimed offenders...