Where did NAB investigations against Maulana Fazlur Rehman reach?

PESHAWAR: A questionnaire comprising 26 questions in December 2020, complaint about sources of income of assets and alleged sale of government land at throwaway price surfaced, people want to know what was the outcome of the investigations?

‎Several years have passed since NAB’s investigations regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s assets and land in Dera Ismail Khan, but an important question still remains about the final outcome of these matters: Did NAB investigations reach any conclusion, was any reference filed, or was the matter closed at some stage?

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‎This matter gained attention in December 2020 when ARY News and some other media reported that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had sent a questionnaire comprising 26 questions to Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It was reported that details were sought in the questionnaire regarding 64 kanals of land in Dera Ismail Khan, agricultural land in his son’s name, property in Multan Cantt, family assets and sources of income.

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‎NAB’s questions were not limited to lands only, but information was also sought regarding bank accounts, sources of money for purchase of properties and other financial matters. This development had raised the question whether any important revelation would come to light from the scrutiny of the purchase of relevant assets and their financial sources.

‎In the same month, media reported in connection with NAB investigations that a complaint had alleged that government land of General Transport Service (GTS) was allegedly sold at less than its actual value. In the report, a significant difference was claimed between the value of the land and its sale price. JUI-F Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leader Atta-ur-Rehman had termed this complaint as false.

‎The basic question in this matter was under what procedure the government land was sold, how the price was determined and what facts came to light in the investigation of the complaint. If the government asset was indeed sold at a low price, it was an important matter related to possible loss to the national exchequer, but whether this allegation was true or false could only be decided by investigations and relevant record.

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‎At the end of December 2020, reports also surfaced that NAB’s questionnaire had returned through post and could not reach Maulana Fazlur Rehman or that he had deliberately refused to receive the questionnaire. The reports at that time also mentioned Maulana’s stance and non-receipt of the questionnaire.

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‎Now the real importance is what did NAB do after these initial steps? Were answers to the questionnaire obtained? Was the scrutiny of relevant land and asset records completed? Was a formal reference filed against any person? And if investigations were closed, what was the reason?

‎This matter was not limited to just an accusation against a political leader or a political statement. It included questions like sources of income of assets and alleged sale of government land at low price. That is why it is necessary that authentic information about the outcome of investigations comes to light from NAB or relevant authorities.

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‎From the available December 2020 reports, the sending of the questionnaire and investigation of complaint related to government land is known, but it is not proven from these reports that a final reference was filed against Maulana Fazlur Rehman in these matters or he was punished for any crime or whether this case has ended or is still pending.

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‎Therefore, the basic question still remains today, what was the outcome of this proceeding started in December 2020? Did NAB complete investigations of these allegations and present the result before the public, or did this matter go into the background with time? Only clarification from relevant institutions can give an authentic answer to this important question.