LAHORE – A number of more bureaucrats from Punjab are expected to bearrested by the NAB on different charges after the arrest of Ahad Cheema.

Fawad Hasan Fawad, who was holding an important position in Punjab beforehis elevation and transfer to the federal government, is among suchofficers, The Nation has reported.

The provincial bureaucracy is already observing strike after the arrest ofMr Ahad Cheema, a step strongly opposed by the Punjab government asdiscriminatory but vehemently defended by the NAB.

Since Saturday and Sunday are closed holidays, the bureaucracy is expectedto announce its future course of action on Monday (tomorrow), the firstworking day of the week.

The gravity of the situation could be gauged by the fact that Rangers hadbeen deployed at NAB link> Lahore for theprotection of Mr Cheema and official records. Observers say that the stepamounted to a no-trust against the provincial law enforcers.

There are reports that investigators have retrieved important data from MrCheema’s computer and cell phone.

The information gained from the arrested bureaucrat and his electronicdevices have led to the arrest of Shahid Shafique, who is the brother ofParagon Society chief executive Nadeem Zia.

Shahid himself is the CEO of Bismillah Engineering Company, the entity thatwas awarded contract for the Ashiana Housing Scheme – despite its being notqualified for the job.

Some banners calling for the release of Mr Cheema were seen on The Mall,but were removed when the matter was pointed out by the media.

A NAB link> spokesman said on Saturday the Bureauwould work transparently, and in accordance with the law and principles ofjustice, no matter how adverse the situation.

No warnings, threats, protests and reprimands would be allowed to come theNAB link> way, he said in a statement.

About the arrest of Cheema, the spokesman said it had been carried out inaccordance with the law and the Bureau had concrete evidence against him.

The Bureau, he said, had nothing to do with politics or any political partyor group. The NAB’s first and last affiliation is with Pakistan, itsconstitution and people, he said. The spokesman assured that nobody wouldbe discriminated against on any basis.

Official sources say NAB link> has also beeninvestigating Metro Bus Multan project. It has not only sought projectdetails from the government but also summoned officers allegedly involvedin embezzlement of public money.

Those wanted by the anti-graft body include Multan Metro MD Sibtain Fazal,PD Sabir Khan and ex-PD Capt Asadullah Khan (who is also former Multancommissioner); and P&D ex-chairman Irfan Elahi, former Member Services DrNaveed Ahmad, Member Infrastructure Dr Abid Bodla and chief technicalofficer Khalid Javed.

Multan Metro project suspects also include Punjab Mass Transit Authority GMAziz Shah, Finance additional secretary Ashiq Hussain Aulakh, Housingadditional secretary Shahid Latif, Dr Bushra Aman and others.

As for other mega corruption probes, former Saaf Pani Company CEO WaseemAjmal Chaudhry – who was suspended by government on corruption charges – iswanted byNAB link> . The Bureau is alsoinvestigating alleged corruption by former Rawalpindi Commissioner ZahidSaeed – who was project director of Metro Bus Rawalpindi.

The officers involved in mega scams are holding important positions. FormerMultan Metro PD Asadullah Khan is now Irrigation secretary while formerRawalpindi Metro PD is now chief secretary of Punjab. Likewise, former P&Dchairman Irfan Elahi is now federal secretary for Aviation.

Former Nandipur power generation project MD Capt (r) Muhammad Mehmood isserving as Agriculture secretary, former Member Services Dr Naveed Ahmadwas posted Literacy secretary and then Member BOR, while former LDA DG AhadCheema holds the position of Quaid-e-Azam power company CEO.

Bureaucrats feel that the reaction being shown by the provincial governmenton the arrest of Mr Cheema was not seen when some other bureaucrats weremade to face similar action in the past.

A senior administrative secretary of the DMG said that when Punjabgovernment suspended officers on corruption charges, they were eitherarrested by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) or tried by the CMIT orother probe bodies, or they were expelled from the province.

Nobody had spoken for those officers then why all this hue and cry for AhadCheema alone, he questioned. He said that the ACE also arrested 12livestock department directors, including the director general, but nobodyraised a voice for them.