NAB launches power abuse inquiry against Manzoor Wattoo

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an inquiry of power abuse against Manzoor Wattoo as the federal minister of industries and production in year 2008, ARY News reported on Thursday.

The NAB has demanded record of appointments from Utility Corporation of Pakistan during the incumbency of Wattoo as federal minister for Industries and Production, sources said.

The utility corporation has constituted a five-member committee to collect the record of the time when Wattoo was minister.

The accountability watchdog inquiring into misuse of authority and alleged corruption against Wattoo, sources said.

According to sources, Manzoor Wattoo showered favors to friends and favorites during his ministerial term in year 2008 with illegal postings and recruitment.

He had illegally hired over 200 area managers in the corporation, the informed sources said.

To create vacancies in UCP, Wattoo approved the post of Area Manager for 10 utility stores, while earlier an area manager was supervising 15 utility stores, sources further said.

Chairman NAB had approved an inquiry against Manzoor Wattoo.

Wattoo had joined Pakistan People’s Party after winning two National Assembly seats in 2008 general election as an independent.

He served as Federal Minister for Industries and Production in the PPP government of prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.