Salaries of 600 employees of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, from grade 17 to grade 21, have been held back as part of a probe into the allegations of corruption, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

As per details, these employees have not yet received salaries for July as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) goes ahead with its investigation into allegations of corruption amounting to Rs4 billion.

The employees of the city’s largest hospital for the treatment of heart patients have said that while their colleagues, from grade 1 to grade 16, received their salaries on July 31, they were still awaiting the payments.

They have said they have been told by the hospital management that presently there is an acute shortage of funds and as soon as funds are available, their salaries will be paid.

They have demanded the immediate payment of salaries, saying they have to celebrate Independence Day on August 14 as well as fulfill the needs of their families.

Reporter: Ibrahim Rind