NAB arrests eight more suspects in Rs40 billion Kohistan mega scandal

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested eight more suspects in connection with the Rs40 billion Kohistan mega corruption scandal, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to 26.

The arrests were made during a series of raids carried out by NAB teams in different locations.

According to the NAB, over 40 individuals, including government officials, contractors, and bank employees, were involved in withdrawing Rs40 billion through fake companies and forged documents.

Sources said that 10 of the arrested suspects have submitted applications for plea bargain.

The NAB has turned down the plea bargain of the prime suspect and contractor, Muhammad Ayub.

Among those seeking a plea bargain are Qaiser Iqbal and his wife, whose bank accounts were found to contain Rs10 billion, NAB sources said.

The anti-corruption watchdog has so far recovered over Rs5 billion so far in connection with the Kohistan scandal.

On October 21, 2025, the NAB arrested several key suspects, including Ulfat Ali from the District Accounts Office Kohistan, Abdul Basit from the C&W Department, and contractors Sartaj Khan and Yahya. Another suspect, Sherbaz from the District Accounts Office Kohistan, has also been taken into custody, the sources said.

All the arrested contractors have been identified as Muhammad Ayub, Duraj Khan, Aamir Saeed, Muhammad Riaz, and Subedar Khan.

In addition, Shafiq-ur-Rehman Qureshi (District Accounts Officer), Muhammad Riaz (former bank cashier and dummy contractor), Fazal Hussain (Auditor at AG Office Peshawar), and Tahir Tanveer (former bank manager) have also been taken into custody, the sources said.

The detained officials are accused of releasing funds for fake development schemes in Upper Kohistan. Several officers of the KP Communication and Works Department allegedly received kickbacks.

The five contractors reportedly carried out transactions worth Rs5 billion through multiple fake companies.

A forensic audit is under way, examining billions of rupees across 73 bank accounts. A significant amount has already been recovered from contractor Ayub, sources said.

NAB has also frozen a total of 36 luxury vehicles and properties linked to the accused. So far, NAB KP has seized seven luxury vehicles in connection with the scandal, including a Toyota Land Cruiser, Kia Jeep, Toyota Fortuner, and Honda Civic.

Additionally, 29 properties allegedly owned by those involved—located in some of Islamabad’s most expensive areas—have been frozen. These include commercial plazas, residential houses, apartments, and markets.

The NAB investigation continues as the anti-corruption watchdog intensifies its crackdown on those involved in one of the region’s biggest corruption scandals.