No coordination between NAB, ACE, FIA delaying corruption cases: sources

KARACHI. Lack of coordination between three different agencies investigating corruption cases is leading to delay and mismanagement, sources revealed on Thursday.

The mega corruption cases being investigated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the same time is causing a delay in their progress bearing testament to the phrase that too many cooks spoil the broth.

The three different inquiries have a two-fold impact on the case; first is that the cases keep getting delayed and this also allows corrupt officials in government department to take advantage of this situation, this was confirmed by sources privy to the development.

The three agencies are investigating more than 15 cases of embezzlement of billions of rupees. However, no integrated inquiry allows the culprits to take advantage.

When one agency is investigating a case and asks suspects for their records, they say that the records were seized by another agency and so on. Moreover, lack of management leads to suspects with double punishment also secure bail.

Sindh High Court (SHC) judge had ordered NAB chairperson to form a committee with officials from all three departments to ensure better coordination of all the cases. However, the chairperson has yet to make a committee.

The cases being investigated include Lines Area project case, Clifton Nullah case, Clifton pathra (flea market) case, illegal appointments in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and allotment of plots by Karachi Development Authority (KDA) among others.

A source, requesting anonymity, said that officials have embezzled funds worth Rs4 billion to Rs5billion. Moreover, funds worth Rs120million to Rs140million have been misappropriated in the Lines Area project case.