NAB Arrests Mastermind of One of Pakistan’s Biggest Financial Scams

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday arrested the primary suspect in the Rs. 40 billion Kohistan corruption case, which is being described as one of biggest financial scandals in the country’s history

NAB identified the detained man as Qaiser Iqbal, a former clerk and later head clerk in the Communication and Works Department, Upper Kohistan. Authorities say they took Qaiser and his wife into custody soon after the couple left Abbottabad Medical Complex on October 18, 2025.

NAB officials told that the couple faces probes into the alleged diversion of more than Rs. 40 billion from government coffers under Head of Account G-10113. The bureau said the scheme involved fabricated bills, forged schedules and bogus cheques prepared with the collusion of officials and private contractors.

The agency accused staff from the C&W Department, the District Accounts Office, the Accountant General’s Office and the National Bank of Pakistan of conspiring with contractors in Upper Kohistan to process illegal withdrawals intended for public works. NAB said it has arrested multiple government employees, bankers and contractors so far and seized properties, gold, foreign currency, cash and luxury vehicles linked to the case.

During a search of Qaiser’s home, investigators recovered title documents for high-value properties, original treasury cheque records and other material that, NAB said, point to a coordinated fraud. The bureau further alleged that billions of rupees flowed into accounts held by Qaiser’s wife and a contractor identified as Mumtaz, and that several other prominent figures benefited from the scheme.

NAB presented the couple before an accountability court in Peshawar, which ordered a seven-day physical remand for Qaiser and a four-day remand for his wife. Officials said they expect further high-profile arrests as the probe follows money trails and property records linked to the scandal.

Investigators told NAB they suspect the network extends beyond district-level actors and may involve senior officers who allegedly ignored or enabled the fraudulent operations over several years. The bureau said it will continue tracing assets and expanding the investigation until it identifies all parties involved.