NAB summons CM Punjab for allegedly issuing liquor license to hotel

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a case pertaining to illegally issuing a liquor license to a hotel, sources informed Geo News on Thursday.

The Punjab chief minister has been directed to appear before the Bureau on August 12.

According to NAB sources, issuing liquor licenses fall under the domain of the DG Excise, however, the Punjab chief minister allegedly used his influence in issuing them.

Last year in April, NAB had launched an investigation into alleged corruption by Buzdar after two complaints were filed with the anti-graft body against him.

Sources had said Buzdar was accused of getting a liquor-sale permit issued to a private hotel in Lahore.

The chief minister was also accused of getting a helicopter for his official use insured for Rs70 million, instead of Rs30 million, according to sources. Buzdar had directed to pay the insurance amount through a supplementary grant.

Sources had added that the Bureau had initiated proceedings for verification of the corruption complaints, for which the anti-graft body's Lahore bureau issued the directives.

The allegation had been rejected by then Punjab government spokesperson Shahbaz Gill.