Driver Agrees to Rs4 Billion Plea Bargain in Kohistan Corruption Scandal

PESHAWAR: In the Kohistan mega corruption scandal worth Rs40 billion, a dumper driver named Mumtaz has agreed to return Rs4 billion to the national treasury under a plea bargain. Administrative Judge Zafar Khan heard the plea bargain applications of Mumtaz and other accused on Wednesday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali appeared in court and briefed the judge on case details.

NAB officials stated that Mumtaz was directly involved in the scandal, with investigations revealing suspicious transactions exceeding Rs4 billion in his bank accounts. The accused voluntarily submitted a plea bargain request to return the funds, which the court approved after hearing NAB’s arguments.

The NAB said that Rs4 billion recovered represents only a portion of the overall scam. So far, over 36 suspects have been arrested and assets worth approximately Rs30 billion seized with several bank accounts frozen. The NAB emphasized no leniency to any accused, stating all proceedings will continue according to law.

NAB officials noted that additional plea bargain requests are under consideration based on evidence. The Kohistan scandal is among the largest financial scandals in recent years; over 40 individuals, including government officials and contractors, were involved in withdrawing Rs40 billion through fake companies and forged documents.

Earlier, NAB had rejected the plea bargain of prime suspect Muhammad Ayub. Sources said that ten of the arrested suspects had applied for a plea bargain so far. Among those seeking a plea bargain are Qaiser Iqbal and his wife, whose bank accounts were found to contain Rs10 billion, according to NAB sources.

The anti-corruption watchdog has recovered over Rs5 billion in connection with the Kohistan scandal thus far.