PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Syed Khursheed Shah, a senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former opposition leader in the national assembly on Wednesday, it was unveiled by a brief statement issued by NAB Islamabad.
Shah was taken into custody by NAB and police during a raid at his Islamabad residence, in Bani Gala. He will be presented before the relevant accountability court in Sukkur for remand tomorrow, the press release added.
He has been arrested on charges of over-earning assets, he has been accused of illegally registering an amnesty plot for a bungalow in the Operative Society. According to NAB sources, Khurshid Shah has built the hotel, petrol pumps and bungalows around the city in different cities of the country. NAB has said investigation against Khurshid Shah began on August 7.
It may be recalled that Khurshid Shah was also summoned by NAB Sukkur today, but he had refused to appear before the National Assembly meeting.
Sindh CM reaction
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, a Pakistan People Party leader, termed Shah’s arrest a “very wrong step” on the part of the government. “Had Khursheed Shah Sahib run away from the country? Had to refuse to attend any inquiry against him?” he questioned. He added that the arrest will harm the expression of unity that is currently required of the nation.
NAB is the investigation of multiple corruption cases against Shah. In 2012, an accountability court had directed NAB to file a reference against him on a complaint pertaining to alleged accumulation of illegitimate assets. In 2013, NAB had reopened two corruption cases against Shah under the directives of the Lahore High Court. In July this year, NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal had approved nine inquiries against different personalities, including Shah.
NAB has arrested senior politicians including Shahid Haqam Abbasi, Rana Sana Ullah, Maryam Nawaz and several others in corruption charges.
