NAB investigator faints amid illegal recruitment hearing against Ashraf

LAHORE: An investigation officer of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) fainted during hearing of illegal recruitment case against former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other accused in Accountability Court Lahore, ARY News reported on Saturday.

Admin Judge of accountability court Syed Najamul Hassan heard the case of illegal recruitment in Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO).

During the hearing, investigation officer of NAB, Salahuddin, fell unconscious, forcing the judge to adjourn the hearing till February 16.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf could not appear before the court due to his political engagements. His counsel submitted an application in the court for his exemption from the case hearing today.

Ashraf and seven other defendants facing charges of illegal recruitment in GEPCO and indicted in the case.

National Accountability Bureau had filed reference against the accused on the charge of making illegal appointments in the electric power company.

The other people indicted in the case were Muhammad Ibrahim, Hashmat Ali Kazmi, former MD of Pepco Tahir Basharat Cheema, Malik Muhammad, Razi Abbas, Saleem Arif, Wazir Ali and Shahid Rafi.

They case have been accused of hiring 437 employees in the power generation company by ignoring merit for the posts.

The NAB had filed a reference against the former premier for misusing his authority and violating the rules in hiring 437 employees in Gepco. The NAB also accused Ashraf of hiring even those people who did not submit applications for the jobs, adding that the illegal recruitment was made to increase vote bank.