Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt. Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed, discussed comprehensive collaboration between the provincial government and NAB to eliminate corruption.

The meeting was held at CM House and was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Secretary Forest and wildlife Badar Jameel, Chief Conservator Riaz Wagan. The Chairman NAB was assisted by DG NAB Karachi Javed Akbar Riaz, DG Sukkur Fayaz Qureshi, DG Operations Tariq Butt and others.

The Chairman NAB apprised the Chief Minster on significant developments in ongoing inquiries and investigations related to the Province. The Chief Minister and the Chairman reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to eradicate corruption with greater harmony and concerted efforts.

DG NAB Karachi Mr Javed Akbar Riaz presented a comprehensive briefing to the Chief Minister highlighting the collaborative efforts undertaken by NAB, the Forest Department, and the Sindh Board of Revenue which resulted in the cancellation of all the agro-forestry leases issued by the Forest Department, mutation of 98pc of Reserved forestland, removal of the majority of the encroachments, cancellation of the significant extent of the unauthorized and illegal allotments and demarcation of more than 75 per centof forestland by the Survey of Pakistan.

Most importantly, a substantial area of forestland, spanning over 1.8 million acres worth/valued at Rs. 3.6 trillion, has been successfully restored/retrieved and mutated to its rightful ownership. Sindh CM and the Chairman NAB agreed to resolve the remaining few minor issues related to the forestland within the next three months.

The Chief Minister Sindh and Chairman NAB appreciated the public service of DGs of NAB – Fayaz Ahmed Qureshi, DG NAB Sukkur, Javed Akbar Riaz, DG NAB Karachi, Secretary Forest Mr Badar Jamil Mendhro, Secretary LU Qamar Raza Baloch, Chief Conservator Riaz Wagan, and their team members in the retrieval of valuable state land. It was also agreed between the two to nominate deserving officers from NAB and the Sindh government for Civil Awards, in acknowledgement of their outstanding service to the state.

Concluding the meeting, the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau presented the Chief Minister of Sindh with copies of the updated and corrected Revenue Records of the forestland, recently compiled and rectified following the successful retrieval of the land through joint efforts of NAB and pertinent departments of the Government of Sindh. The Chief Minister and Chairman NAB reaffirmed their commitment to a strong collaborative partnership to combat corruption and ensure accountability across the board.