- NAB directs JUI-F leader to appear before team on Nov 10.
- NAB notice includes the use of fake and bogus documents.
- FIA had also called former minister to record his statement.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former communications minister Asad Mahmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, over alleged irregularities in Pakistan Post Office appointments made during his tenure in 2022 and 2023.
Mahmood was appointed federal minister for communications in the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), following the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.
The anti-corruption watchdog directed Mahmood to appear before its investigation team on November 10 at 11am to respond to questions concerning the recruitment process.
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in appointments made at the Pakistan Post Office during his tenure as communications minister between 2022 and 2023.
According to the NAB notice, the Establishment Division had authorised recruitment against 3,938 vacancies in the Pakistan Post Office. However, 4,252 people were allegedly recruited, exceeding the approved number of positions.
The notice also alleges that appointments were made against 2,646 abolished vacancies in violation of the cabinet committee’s instructions.
NAB further said that permanent appointments were made despite recommendations for recruitment on a contractual basis through a testing agency.
The allegations outlined in the notice also include the use of fake and bogus documents, recruitment of overage candidates and violations of the domicile quota.
The bureau warned that failure to comply with the summons could result in legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.
Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) anti-corruption circle in Islamabad has also issued a summons to Mahmood in connection with the Pakistan Post recruitment investigation.
The FIA had directed the former minister to appear on November 2 at 11am to record his statement.
The agency is investigating alleged serious irregularities and corruption in recruitment at the Pakistan Post Office during Mahmood’s tenure as the communications minister.
