Key suspect in Kohistan corruption case relinquishes assets worth over Rs14 billion

A key suspect in the Kohistan corruption scandal has agreed to surrender assets worth more than Rs14 billion during proceedings before an accountability court in Peshawar, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday. 

According to the National Accountability Bureau, the main accused, Qaiser Iqbal, was produced before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Zafar, where he formally agreed to relinquish properties and assets allegedly acquired through corruption.

During the hearing, the court asked the suspect whether he was surrendering the assets under any pressure.

The accused responded by expressing consent and signed the relevant relinquishment documents in court.

NAB officials told the court that more than one kilogram of gold and over Rs5.61 billion in Pakistani currency had earlier been recovered from the suspect’s residence during raids linked to the investigation.

Authorities also claimed to have recovered 21,000 Saudi riyals, 8,000 US dollars and 9,300 British pounds from the accused.

According to investigators, the suspect allegedly transferred Rs1 billion to the bank account of his brother residing abroad.

NAB further said the accused had also agreed to surrender properties and other assets allegedly purchased in the names of benami, or proxy, individuals as part of the ongoing corruption investigation.