Upper Kohistan scandal: Court grants NAB seven-day remand of Muhammad Ayaz

An accountability court in Peshawar has handed Muhammad Ayaz, an accused in the Upper Kohistan scandal over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on seven days of physical remand for further investigation.

An accountability court in Peshawar has handed Muhammad Ayaz an accused in the Upper Kohistan scandal over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on seven days of physical remand for further investigation.

Accountability Judge Hamid Mughal heard the application seeking the suspect’s physical remand. NAB Special Prosecutor Habibullah Baig and the investigation officer were also present during the proceedings.

According to the NAB prosecutor Muhammad Ayaz had allegedly gone into hiding after being named in the Mansehra-Kohistan scandal. He is the brother of Riyaz, a former cashier at a bank’s Dasu branch who has been accused of embezzling more than Rs11 billion from the national treasury.

NAB sources allege that Muhammad Ayaz placed assets belonging to his brother in his own name. Investigators sought physical remand to question him further and examine the allegations surrounding the ownership and transfer of the assets.

After considering the prosecution’s request the court approved a seven-day physical remand and handed the accused over to NAB custody.

The remand will provide investigators with additional time to question Muhammad Ayaz and gather information relevant to the case. The investigation is focused in part on determining whether assets allegedly linked to the former bank cashier were held under another person’s name.

The Upper Kohistan scandal concerns alleged financial irregularities involving a substantial amount of public money. The latest development marks another step in the ongoing investigation although the allegations against the accused have yet to be established through legal proceedings.

NAB is expected to continue questioning Muhammad Ayaz during the court-approved remand period as it investigates the alleged financial misconduct and the ownership of assets linked to the case.