PESHAWAR – The National Accountability Bureau Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NAB KP) has made early breakthroughs in the Upper Kohistan 36bn scam, recovering over 20bn rupees during the initial phase of investigation, according to sources in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Officials revealed that NAB KP has traced four commercial plazas in Rawalpindi and Islamabad—three located in Rawalpindi’s Public Works Department area and one in Islamabad. In addition, the bureau tracked down a commercial plot worth 4.5bn rupees [16.07mn US dollars] in Sector F-11 of Islamabad. Investigators also uncovered three luxury farmhouses in Gulberg Green, along with more than 60 high-end vehicles, including three sports cars—two Ford Mustangs and one Toyota Supra.
Furthermore, NAB KP seized nearly 2bn rupees] in cash during the early phase of inquiry. A massive amount of 650mn rupees was found at the residence of a head clerk from the Communication and Works (C&W) department. Authorities have also identified three properties linked to the same official.
In another significant recovery, NAB officials confiscated 400mn rupees in cash from the home of a private construction company owner in Chakisar, Shangla. Additionally, the bureau froze 200mn rupees in the company’s bank account. Investigators further disclosed that multiple bank officials involved in the scam had returned millions in stolen funds, including 50,000 US dollars recovered from one of them.
Committee Meets to Review Scandal Developments
the Upper Kohistan 36bn scam dominated discussions as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) convened a crucial meeting chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem on 13 May 2025 in Peshawar.
Provincial Minister for Revenue Nazir Abbasi and Advisor to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam attended the session. Special Assistant on C&W Sohail Afridi, other assembly members, and secretaries of Finance and C&W departments also participated.
During the meeting, Speaker Babar Saleem expressed appreciation for NAB’s swift action and stated that, for the first time, no political figure had been named in a mega embezzlement case exceeding 40bn rupees. He added, “I thank the NAB chairman and director general for recovering over 20bn rupees merely after issuing a notice.”
He voiced optimism that the recovery ratio in this case would surpass 99 percent. Saleem also reminded officials that in the last PAC session, the Finance and C&W departments had been instructed to suspend the employees involved in the embezzlement.
AG Shares Status of Financial Records
Accountant General KP Naseeruddin briefed the committee about his office’s findings. He said that officials from the Auditor General’s office visited Kohistan but could not access key records as they remain in NAB’s custody. According to him, they checked vouchers from Lower Kohistan and Kolai Palas districts and found no irregularities.
However, during a 10-day stay in Upper Kohistan, they could not locate any financial documentation. He added that while regular records remain available at the AG’s office, they still do not possess documentation for checks issued in Upper Kohistan.
AG Naseeruddin explained that NAB maintains the position that the record will be handed over only after their investigation concludes.
