KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has stepped in over alleged large-scale financial irregularities in the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project, with officials confirming that a preliminary inquiry has already been completed and the case has now been upgraded to a formal investigation stage.
According to sources, NAB has finalized its inquiry into the resettlement project, and based on the evidence collected, the matter has been moved into the investigation phase for further action.
NAB sources revealed that serious irregularities were identified, including illegal land allotments, alleged “China cutting,” and issuance of fake allotment orders. During raids, thousands of property files and related documents were reportedly seized as evidence.
Officials further claimed that around 65 percent of the recovered files contained fake allotment orders, allegedly bearing the signatures of assistant directors (land) and executive engineers.
Sources added that six suspects, including officials, have been placed on the Passport Control List (PCL) to prevent them from leaving the country. Investigators also found that approximately 20 acres of project land was fraudulently sold to outsiders.
During the inquiry, evidence of large-scale fraud against the public also emerged, according to NAB sources.
It is further stated that the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project was a joint federal and provincial initiative, with the federal government contributing 67 percent and the Sindh government 33 percent of the funding.
Investigators have also recommended a separate inquiry into alleged irregularities amounting to around Rs 8 billion, as the probe continues into what is being described as a major corruption case involving public resources.
