NAB arrests former KPT chairman over illegal appointments

KARACHI: Former Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman Muhammad Javed Hanif was arrested by The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday from his residence, according to a press release issued by the bureau.

“The accused was wanted in an investigation on charges of corruption, corrupt practices and abuse of authority for illegally appointing 940 employees in KPT in connivance with [the MQM’s] Babar Ghauri, the then minister for ports and shipping,” the press release stated.

According to the statement the appointments were made in violation of KPT law, rules and regulations

“Without advertisement of vacancies, competitive process, age criteria, medical examination of appointees and in violation of basic formalities”.

A large number of those appointed had a criminal record in serious cases such as “terrorism, premeditated murder and robbery”said the bureau,  and that the illegal appointments resulted in losses to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs 2.8 billion.

The accused will be produced before Accountability Court Karachi today (Tuesday) for physical remand, the bureau statement further said.