First phase of Nandipur scam probe almost complete: NAB Chairman

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ISLAMABAD: Chairman NAB Chaudhry Qamar Zaman on Tuesday said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has almost completed its first phase of investigation into alleged irregularities in the Nandipur power project.

Talking to media persons after the inaugural ceremony of a forensic lab at NAB HQ in Islamabad, Qamar Zaman said, “We do not want to implicate anyone without conclusion of the probe.”

He said the first phase includes investigation from approval to commencement of the project while the payments and increase in the project cost will be probed in the second phase.

The operation of 425MW Nandipur plant, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on May 30, is shrouded in mystery as the government raised the cost of the project from Rs22 billion to Rs57 billion without giving any reason.

Corruption is the main hurdle in any country’s development, the NAB chief added.

Qamar Zaman said the NAB is determined to eliminate corruption from the country and the forensic laboratory will help expedite the investigation process.