NAB Recovers Rs. 168.5 Billion in BRT Peshawar Project

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has made a historic recovery of Rs. 168.5 billion linked to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Peshawar project, setting a record for the bureau in its 25-year history.

The probe into the BRT project began in 2018 amid allegations regarding illegal contract allocations and financial mismanagement. As part of the investigation, NAB dismissed contractors’ claims totaling Rs 31.5 billion in the International Court of Arbitration.

Investigations revealed that six major contracts were improperly awarded to certain companies, which subsequently failed to comply with their agreements. A review of over 400 bank accounts unveiled further signs of misconduct, including fake guarantees submitted by contractors and significant project delays, leading to Rs 86 billion in damages claimed by the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).

NAB’s actions resulted in a savings of Rs. 108.5 billion and an additional Rs. 9 billion saved by completing the project within the original budget framework. The inquiry showed that foreign companies had to step in to finish the project due to contractors’ inability to meet deadlines.

The bureau also highlighted that contractors presented false audit reports, prompting investigations of foreign firms through their embassies. Contractors claimed Rs. 5 billion in increased costs, but through NAB’s intervention, a settlement was reached, finalizing payments at Rs. 2.6 billion.

As a result of these findings, the Peshawar High Court has officially closed all related cases, representing a significant advancement in the bureau’s efforts against corruption.