KPT corruption case: Investigation officer seeks more time to arrest Ghauri, others

KARACHI: An accountability court on Thursday re-issued arrest warrants for MQM leader Babar Ghauri in a corruption case of more Rs 3 billion in Karachi Port Trust.

The investigation officer sought extension in time to arrest the absconders in the case including the MQM leader. Ghauri is facing charges of massive corruption when he was federal minister for ports and shipping between 2008 and 2013.

Member Sindh Assembly Javed Hanif and others appeared before the court today as they were also nominated under several charges.

The accused are facing charges of making 940 illegal appointments in the KPT in 2012.

On Sep 15, the court while approving a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against former minister ports and shipping Babar Ghauri and other accused in the case.

According to the reference filed by the anti-graft authority, KPT chief Javed Hanif in his capacity as the then KPT chairman misused his official authority and made illegal appointments of 940 employees in the KPT with the connivance of Babar Ghauri.

NAB claims that the appointments were made in violation of KPT law, rules and regulations and resulted in loss to national exchequer to the tune of Rs 2.8 billion.

NAB had arrested Muhammad Javed Hanif in the case on July 3. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Nov 3.