The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieved a significant breakthrough, recovering an indirect sum of Rs168.5 billion in connection with the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Initiated in 2018, the investigation uncovered irregularities in contract awards, misappropriation of funds, and submission of fake performance guarantees.
Six major contracts for civil works were unlawfully awarded to joint ventures, which comprised two Pakistani and three international firms. These international firms, which held 60-70% shares on paper, were paid 2% of the total tender value without contributing actual work. NAB’s investigation also revealed the submission of bogus bank guarantees and audit reports by local contractors, further implicating them in fraudulent practices.
The inquiry saved Rs9 billion for the government by retaining the original project cost and preventing undue claims. Additionally, NAB thwarted a contractor’s claim of Rs31.8 billion before the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and avoided potential litigation costs. Through out-of-court settlements and diligent investigations, the contractors withdrew their claims, and the case was resolved with a minimal payment of Rs2.6 billion by the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).
This recovery highlights NAB’s role in ensuring transparency and saving public funds in major infrastructure projects.
