PESHAWAR – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has officially launched a formal investigation into the massive Rs40 billion Kohistan corruption scandal, following startling new revelations and asset recoveries. This marks a significant escalation in the high-profile case.
So far, NAB has recovered assets worth Rs25 billion, including over Rs1 billion in cash, foreign currency, and more than three kilograms of gold. These assets were traced through extensive audits and raids across the province.
Investigators have frozen 73 bank accounts containing more than Rs5 billion and seized 77 luxury vehicles. Moreover, 109 properties have been taken over in cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Mansehra.
These properties include four farmhouses, 12 commercial plazas, two plots, 30 houses, 12 shops and food courts, 25 luxury flats and penthouses, and 175 kanals of farmland. The total worth of these assets is estimated at Rs17 billion.
Government sources confirm that arrests of high-profile suspects are expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. Authorities are currently finalizing legal procedures and security arrangements for the crackdown.
Contractor Muhammad Ayub, one of the main accused, has already been arrested. Around Rs3 billion was found in his accounts, and he reportedly used some of the stolen funds to purchase a house belonging to politician Azam Swati.