AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, October 05, 2019 (PPI-OT): NAB has clarified a news item published in Daily The News and Jang by Ansar Abbasi about Salman Ghani and termed it factually incorrect and misleading. The fact is that Suleman Ghani was member of Punjmin Board in the capacity of Chairman P and D Punjab. As per Punjmin Act, no representative on behalf of Punjmin Act could attend board meeting. However he sent his representative to attend 69th Board meeting of Punjmin.
In that meeting it was decided to negotiate terms to form JV with M/s ERPL which was a fraud company having a paid up capital of just Rs. 2.5 million. The minutes of 69th board meeting were sent to Chairman P and D that if he had any observation on the decisions taken in meeting, he could object that, but he did not make any objection. Hence, these minutes were approved. Afterwards, he telephonically discussed the project with M.D. Punjmin and pressurized him to forward proposal as is clearly evident from the summary of he the M.D. So he was well aware of the proposed J.V and privy to the offence.
Later on, summary to Chief Minister was forwarded through Chairman P and D and he did not bother to examine it in the relevant section of P and D but malafidely on same day recommended proposed J.V with very positive marks without taking into account that a Govt. department is handing over iron ore reserves of billions of dollars, to a private firm without open competition.
As Chairman P and D and member of Punjmin Board he was required to inquire and ensure the implementation of act of Punjmin, license of lease and govt. rules which do not allow subletting of lease of Punjmin and even that without proper open competition. Here there are very serious questions on the role of Mr Salman Ghani. If he was not privy to the lease being given to M/s ERPL, how come he was discussing the matter with MD Punjmin even before the summary is initiated. It is mentioned in the noting part of summary that the matter has been discussed in detail with Chairman P and D.
Secondly, if Punjmin was unable to do the exploration work, was ERPL able to do this job of billions of dollars assets of Pakistan with 25 lakh financial health and could it get that exploration lease independently. The answer is a big no. Fact is ERPL was neither having any financial strength nor technical expertise then why Chairman P and D supported this JV as if ERPL was a big name in the field of iron ore exploration.
Thirdly, Mr Salman Ghani took stance before NAB team that he was not an expert of the mining field. Then why he not marked the summary to his Section Chief who was dealing with mining issues. Rather he give very strong positive note on same day when the summary is received to him i.e., 17.11.2007. How much summaries Mr Salman Ghani endorsed during his tenure as Chairman P and D without getting input from his specialized team and that too in a complicated field of mining.
Lastly, Mr Salman Ghani took stance before NAB that he had no power to raise any objection on the proposal sent by the concerned Administrative Department. This position is also against the Rules of Business. As per these rules, P and D has complete authority to examine, support or oppose any proposal of any department having economic impact for the province.
Due to all these reasons, the Honourable Lahore High Court also rejected the petition of ERPL challenging the decision of Punjab Govt to cancel its JV agreement with Punjmin. Now NAB has arrested Salman Ghani and his physical custody is granted by honourable Accountability Court, this matter is subjudice before the court. He has all the right to defend himself in the court of law.
Conveying such kind of wrong impression to the public without official point of view of NAB is allegedly a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of NAB. The continued incorrect and concocted reporting of Mr. Ansar Abbasi, Editor Investigation of daily The News seems to be malicious campaign of Jang Group against NAB as an institution. NAB hopes that in true spirit of responsible journalism, an effort should always be made to kindly have official point of view of NAB. NAB has requested Jang Group especially The News, Jang and Geo TV to kindly avoid speculations on the ongoing inquiries and investigations of NAB but all our requests went in vein.
For more information, contact:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
Attaturk Avenue G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-111-NAB-NAB (111-622-622)
Fax: +92-51-9214503
Email: chairman@nab.gov.pk, infonab@nab.gov.pk
Website: www.nab.gov.pk