NAB settles ‘Kohistan mega scam’ with Rs4.05bn plea bargain

PESHAWAR: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recovered a sum of Rs. 4.05 billion as plea bargain in a mega corruption scandal, marking the largest lump-sum cash recovery in the institution’s history.

According to NAB, the funds were clawed back from the shadowy depths of the “Kohistan Mega Scam,” exposing a brazen conspiracy where the treasury itself was bled dry.

The case centres on the mastermind accused Qaisar Iqbal who allegedly used a dumper driver, Mumtaz Khan, as his front man. This unlikely benamidar became the face of a sophisticated fraud, opening bank accounts for a fictitious “Mumtaz Construction Company.” Through this hollow shell, millions flowed directly from the public treasury, funnelling the nation’s wealth into private pockets.

Facing the weight of evidence, the front man, Mumtaz Khan, opted for a plea bargain, surrendering the amount in a mix of cash, properties, and vehicles.

The accountability court has confirmed this agreement, securing not just the colossal recovery but also the first conviction in this sprawling scam.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026