PESHAWAR (Kashifuddin Syed): A significant development has emerged in the Rs38 billion Kohistan financial scandal, as the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approved a plea bargain request from a key accused in the case.
Sources indicate that the accused, Mumtaz, currently in NAB custody, has requested a plea bargain to return Rs4.5 billion of the misappropriated funds, a request that has been accepted by the NAB chairman.
Mumtaz is reported to be the frontman for Qaiser Iqbal, an official from the Communications and Works (C&W) Department. Following formal approval of the plea bargain by the accountability court, Mumtaz will return the money to the national treasury. NAB officials anticipate that further revelations will arise in the case following this development.
The Kohistan financial scandal involves the release of Rs38 billion to benami accounts and contractors via the C&W Department, which is currently under investigation by NAB.
