Pakistan's anti-graft body summons three former generals

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Pakistan's top anti-corruption agency has summoned three retired generals, who were allegedly involved in the lease of railway land to a golf club at a throwaway price resulting in the loss of over Rs 16 billion. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former Lieutenant Generals Javed Ashraf Qazi and Saeeduz Zafar and former Maj Gen Hamid Hassan Butt in connection with the lease of land to the Royal Palm Golf Club in Lahore, a media report said today. The retired army officers have been asked to appear before an investigation team at the NAB headquarters in Islamabad, The News quoted its sources as saying. Their case is likely to be referred to the courts for a decision. According to NAB officials, the Generals caused a loss of over Rs 16 billion to Pakistan Railways by leasing its lands at a throwaway price. The Standing Committee on Railways of the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament recently issued directions to the NAB to conduct an inquiry into the alleged involvement of the Generals in the case. NAB officials informed the Parliamentary panel that the lease of the railways land to the golf club lacked transparency. The panel was further informed that the Generals were allegedly involved in the controversial lease process. Initially, 103 acres were leased and this was later extended to 140 acres while ignoring the highest bid. NAB officials informed the Parliamentary panel that the Royal Palm Golf Club had agreed to raise the lease amount. The NAB is likely to recover Rs 16.18 billion from the contractor of Royal Palm Golf Club for Pakistan Railways.