NAB questions Swati in Upper Kohistan scandal
The National Accountability Bureau Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (NAB KP) has initiated an inquiry into Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in connection with the Upper Kohistan mega scandal. According to sources, Azam Swati appeared before the relevant NAB investigation committee on Friday.
NAB officials revealed that a significant amount of money was transferred to Swati's bank account by a private firm allegedly linked to the scandal. The investigation team questioned him for over an hour regarding the suspicious transaction. Swati was also handed a questionnaire by NAB and asked to submit written responses.
It is pertinent to mention that over Rs40 billion were withdrawn from the national treasury under the pretext of development projects in Upper Kohistan district. However, no physical evidence of these projects exists on the ground.
The scope of the investigation has been expanded, with several officials from the Communications and Works Department, the District Accounts Office, and the National Bank of Kohistan, along with multiple politicians, now under scrutiny.
On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) barred NAB from arresting Azam Swati in connection with the Kohistan mega corruption scandal. However, the court directed him to cooperate and join the ongoing investigation.
The ruling came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Swati, which was taken up by a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal.
It may be recalled that on June 23, Swati failed to appear before NAB in connection with the corruption scandal, despite being served a notice. Instead, his legal counsel appeared on his behalf. Later, he moved the PHC against the notice.
According to NAB sources, on June 23, Swati's lawyer was instructed that the senator must appear in person. The lawyer requested a week's extension, but NAB refused the request and instructed Swati to appear without delay. A second notice will soon be issued, NAB confirmed.
The initial notice required Azam Swati to appear on Monday as part of an inquiry into suspicious financial transactions linked to the Kohistan corruption case. NAB alleges that Rs300 million were transferred into Azam Swati's personal bank account, raising serious concerns about financial irregularities.
NAB is investigating the Kohistan scandal following revelations of widespread corruption amounting to Rs40 billion. The bureau has directed Swati to submit the financial records of Kohistan Associates and Builders, including detailed bank account information.
Billions of rupees were reportedly deposited into the company's accounts during the year 2024. The scandal came to light earlier this year, prompting the provincial government to formally request a NAB investigation. Subsequently, a cabinet-level inquiry committee, headed by the Chief Minister, was also formed to oversee the case.
In May, the K-P government launched an investigation into the mega corruption scandal in Kohistan district.
The scandal came under intense scrutiny during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Speaker of the K-P Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati.
Officials from the Finance Department and the Accountant General's office admitted during the session that billions had been misappropriated from government funds.
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