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‘Misuse of state helicopters’: NAB says unofficial fliers cost KP govt Rs90m

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  • NAB writes to KP government to recover money.
  • Since 2008, as many as 2,000 people used KP chopper.
  • KP govt legislating to legalise private use of helicopters.

PESHAWAR: Having completed its probe into the illegal use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s helicopters, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has revealed that those, who engaged the chopper for private use, owe Rs90 million to the provincial administration, sources said on Monday.

They added NAB had also written to the KP government to recover the cost of all the illegal helicopter trips taken by “influential politicians, public officeholders” and others.

At least 2,000 people had travelled in state helicopters since 2008.

The helicopters were used by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, former and current provincial/federal ministers including others.

Former and incumbent members of provincial and national assemblies and officials of political parties also travelled in helicopters, the sources said, adding that chief secretaries, secretaries and other government employees were also among the flyers.

Last month, the KP government announced it had prepared a draft to amend laws regarding the use of its helicopters and other matters in the province.

Following the amendment, no one will be able to question the chopper’s use including who uses it and why is it being used.

According to the amendment draft, the use of the government’s helicopter from November 2008 till date will be considered legal and valid.  No question could be raised regarding the use of the chopper, which would be allowed to be rented out. However, permission for personal use would have to be sought from the province’s chief minister.

The draft states that the government’s helicopter, apart from its use by the chief minister, can also be used by ministers, advisers, special assistants or government officials.

Approval of the amendment bill has been included in the agenda of the provincial assembly’s next meeting, according to the sources.

Talking to Geo News, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Labour Minister Shaukat Yousafzai denied that the helicopters were ever used for private purposes.

“Choppers were used for only government work. No minister or officer in the past or now has used them for personal work,” Yousafzai said, adding, “In this case, NAB is hounding KP government for no reason”.

The KP minister questioned why was NAB not doing anything against the corruption of the Sharif and Zardari families. 

“Amendments in the law related to helicopters are being made for the betterment of the people,” Yousafzai added.

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In the Toshakhana case, the International Criminal Court (IHC) has granted Bushra Bibi parole and ordered her release.

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On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) invoked the analogy between the Qazi Faez Isa assets case and the Toshakhana case against Bushra Bibi in order to order her release on parole.

Umair Majeed, the FIA prosecutor, appeared before Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC in the second case of Toshakhana gifts, where Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, submitted a bail plea.

A gift that the state receives must be submitted and declared, according to the prosecutor. The gift remains the state’s property until it is lawfully acquired. The state-owned gift cannot be kept in private possession prior to its purchase, the prosecutor continued.

Justice Aurangzeb inquired with him as to why Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, was accused in the event that Bushra Bibi did not submit the gifts. The prosecutor, Majeed, responded that her spouse was a public office holder.

The case was comparable to that of Justice Isa, as noted by Justice Aurangzeb. In this instance, the spouse was also held accountable for his wife’s actions.

The justice department noted that a British prime minister also received goods back home. When questioned, he responded that he had accepted the gift in accordance with the regulations.

Justice Aurangzeb inquired of the prosecutor regarding the consequences of Bushra Bibi returning the gift.

The prosecutor, Majeed, responded that the NAB law included a provision for plea bargaining. However, under Toshakhana law, that provision was unavailable.

Since the case was transferred, the justice inquired whether he had conducted any investigations. He replied in the negative.

Bushra Bibi was granted bail by Justice Aurangzeb, and, in exchange for two Rs1 million surety bonds, she was instructed to be released.

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26th Constitutional Amendment: Naqvi Congratulates the Nation on the Amendment’s Approval

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The ratification of the 26th Constitutional Amendment bill has been hailed as a success for the people of Pakistan by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who has congratulated the entire country.

The Interior Minister said in a statement that the triumph of the Pakistani people is a tribute to Allah.

In particular, he praised Allied Party leaders and JUI(F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their support, and he declared that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s historic and constructive role would never be forgotten.

Mohsin Naqvi commended the work of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Their unrelenting efforts have paid off, he said. He underlined that the 26th Constitutional Amendment was the result of a concerted and unrelenting effort by all leaders.

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Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that it had been 12 days since the last hearing on Bushra’s bail application.

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Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that it had been 12 days since the last hearing on Bushra’s bail application.

Justice Aurangzeb stated, “I experienced a high fever during my last appearance in court on October 9.”

“The recovery process was prolonged,” he noted.

Safdar said that the value of the gifts was diminished by a private purchaser, who he claimed had turned approver against Bushra Bibi.

Safdar stated that the customs authorities then assessed the worth of the commodities and found no irregularities.

Justice Aurangzeb queried, “Was it the decision of the then-executive (Imran Khan) to accept the gift after remitting 50% of the total value?”

The FIA prosecutor stated that no precedent exists for accepting gifts at 50% of their worth.

“What are your instructions on the bail application of Bushra Bibi?” Justice Aurangzed conducted a further inquiry.

“We will contest it,” stated the FIA prosecutor.

The court subsequently postponed the hearing until October 23.

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