Court Extends Remand in Rs40 Billion Corruption Case

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The Special Accountability Court in Peshawar has extended the physical remand of Ayub Khan, the primary accused in the Kohistan corruption case, for an additional two days. The extension followed a request from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), represented in court by Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali and the investigation officer.

NAB informed the court that Ayub Khan is allegedly involved in suspicious banking transactions and has been found in possession of assets beyond his known means. Officials also confirmed that the accused has submitted a plea bargain request, which is currently under review.

Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali emphasized the need for further questioning to trace the full scope of the scandal. He told the court that the ongoing investigation involves large-scale financial irregularities, with the scandal’s value estimated at approximately Rs40 billion. According to NAB, eight suspects have been arrested so far, and more individuals may be implicated as the inquiry progresses.

NAB has recovered an estimated Rs25 billion in assets, including luxury vehicles, high-end residential properties, and frozen cash deposits. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify additional accomplices and recover remaining embezzled funds.

Among those linked to the case is newly elected Senator Azam Swati, who is currently on protective bail. However, NAB has not confirmed any formal charges against him at this stage.

The court granted the extension in physical remand to facilitate further investigation. Officials stressed that uncovering the entire network behind the financial misconduct is a priority, and all legal procedures will be followed to ensure accountability.

The Kohistan case remains one of the most high-profile corruption investigations in recent months, drawing attention due to the significant sums involved and the potential political connections. Further developments are expected as the investigation continues.