Sindh govt not to dismiss officials under investigation by NAB: sources

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided not to dismiss officials involved in cases filed with National Accountability Bureau, according to sources.

By keeping the officials being investigated on their positions the Sindh government intends to send a clear message to NAB, sources said.

The officials being investigated in Sindh by NAB belong to the education, food and police departments. They include Sindh Building Control Authority Director General Agha Maqsood Abbas, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board Managing Director Hashim Raza Zaidi and Prisons Inspector General Nusrat Manghan among others.

The Sindh government’s decision is aimed at conveying to NAB that it does not have the authority of carrying of operations in the province.

However, Sindh High Court has directed NAB to continue its investigations in the province. While hearing a petition by opposition parties last week against the Sindh government's National Accountability Ordinance 1999 Repeal Bill 2017, Sindh High Court ordered NAB to continue working in the province till the petition is decided.

On July 3, the Sindh Assembly passed the 'anti-NAB bill', which seeks to revoke NAB’s powers in the province. The bill was vehemently opposed by opposition members of the House.

The law strips away NAB's powers to take action against provincial government officials in Sindh.