An accountability court grants four days of physical remand to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for an arrested contractor involved in illegal mining.
The contractor, identified as Zargul Khan, was produced in court by NAB officials on Saturday. Prosecutors requested his physical remand to further investigate his alleged crimes.
According to the NAB prosecutor, Zargul Khan played a central role in an illegal mining scam in the Guzara forests in Kakul. Several of his accomplices are also under investigation.
The prosecutor said that Zargul Khan extracted 141,869 metric tonnes of phosphate between 2010 and July 2025. These activities caused losses of 643.7 million rupees to the national exchequer.
The NAB lawyer added that the accused is also involved in money laundering. Investigators discovered plots in eight areas of Abbottabad registered under his name. Additionally, three luxury vehicles were found to be owned by him.
A formal probe under the Anti-Money Laundering Act has been initiated against Zargul Khan. The NAB is investigating the financial trail and links to accomplices to uncover the full scope of the scam.
During the hearing, the court grants NAB the authority to interrogate Zargul Khan in custody over the next four days. Authorities said the remand is crucial to recover assets and trace illegal transactions.
Officials emphasized that the accountability court’s decision reflects the judiciary’s support for NAB’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. The investigation is expected to provide clarity on the illegal extraction and financial mismanagement linked to the accused.
The case highlights concerns over illegal mining and its economic impact. NAB continues to focus on recovering losses and holding responsible parties accountable. The court is expected to review further requests by NAB as the investigation progresses.
The accountability process demonstrates the judicial system’s active role in combating financial and environmental crimes in Pakistan, ensuring that alleged offenders face legal scrutiny.
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