NSCCP scam: NAB again fails to file reference against Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday again failed to file reference regarding Narowal Sports City Complex Project (NSCCP) scam against former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, and sought more time from the Accountability Court.

Accountability Court judge Muhammad Bashir, while hearing the case, approved the NAB's request to give it more time for filling of reference, and adjourned hearing of the case till August 26.

At the start of the hearing, the NAB investigation officer told the court that the reference was in the final stage but the bureau required some time to complete its job. The court approved the NAB's request.

According to the NAB, the record collected so far revealed that instead of getting approval of the Central Development Working Party, the scope of the NSCCP was substantially altered; Iqbal accorded approval on his own, and approved the same with malafide intentions without taking the matter before the CDWP.

The NAB says that the NSCCP was initiated without any feasibility study in violation of the Planning Commission Development Manual regarding feasibility of new developmental projects.

It was necessary to prepare feasibility study of projects costing more than Rs50 million and Iqbal enhanced the scope with malafide intention by directing the design consultants of the NSCCP.

"Later on, revised PC-1 costing Rs2498.779 million was prepared and scope was enhanced manifolds and subsequently it was approved by [the] CDWP headed by Iqbal on July 17, 2014. Likewise the 2nd revised PC-1 costing Rs2994.329 million was prepared and was approved by [the] CDWP on May 3, 2017," it said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020