PESHAWAR: In a major development in the Rs40 billion Kohistan mega corruption scandal, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered 115 tolas of gold from one of the suspect’s residence.
According to sources, the NAB raided the house of Bilal Shah — a close aide and associate of the prime suspect, Qaiser Iqbal — and recovered 115 tolas of gold from his home.
During the investigation, it also transpired that the suspect owns a plot worth Rs60 million in Abbottabad.
NAB sources said that police sub-inspector Naseeruddin has also been arrested in connection with the Kohistan scandal.
Transactions amounting to Rs35 million were made into his bank account, reportedly by the main accused, Qaiser Iqbal.
According to NAB officials, another luxury bungalow belonging to the main accused, Qaiser Iqbal, has been sealed.
The property, valued at around Rs60 million, was purchased in his brother’s name.
Earlier, the NAB arrested eight more suspects in connection with the Rs40 billion Kohistan mega corruption scandal, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to 26.
The arrests were made during a series of raids carried out by NAB teams in different locations.
According to the NAB, over 40 individuals, including government officials, contractors, and bank employees, were involved in withdrawing Rs40 billion through fake companies and forged documents.
Sources said that 10 of the arrested suspects have submitted applications for plea bargain.
The NAB has turned down the plea bargain of the prime suspect and contractor, Muhammad Ayub.
Among those seeking a plea bargain are Qaiser Iqbal and his wife, whose bank accounts were found to contain Rs10 billion, NAB sources said.
The anti-corruption watchdog has so far recovered over Rs5 billion so far in connection with the Kohistan scandal.
On October 21, 2025, the NAB arrested several key suspects, including Ulfat Ali from the District Accounts Office Kohistan, Abdul Basit from the C&W Department, and contractors Sartaj Khan and Yahya. Another suspect, Sherbaz from the District Accounts Office Kohistan, has also been taken into custody, the sources said.
All the arrested contractors have been identified as Muhammad Ayub, Duraj Khan, Aamir Saeed, Muhammad Riaz, and Subedar Khan.