Four suspects implicated in the massive $40 billion Kohistan corruption scandal have approached the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with requests for a plea bargain.
According to sources, the accused include Qaiser, head clerk of the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, along with three benami (proxy) partners, including his wife. The suspects have expressed willingness to repay the illicitly obtained funds to the national exchequer.
In their applications, they assured NAB of returning the misappropriated amounts. The Bureau will now scrutinize their financial records and assets before reaching a decision.
Investigations have revealed that Qaiser and his accomplices embezzled billions of rupees under the guise of fictitious development projects in Kohistan, which exist only on paper. The inquiry further alleges that the suspects amassed massive wealth, accumulating both movable and immovable assets in their own names as well as those of close relatives.
Officials said NAB will conduct an in-depth review of the assets, and upon verification, the case may proceed to a plea bargain with the approval of the Bureau’s chairman. However, the final outcome will depend on the recovery of misappropriated funds.