NAB and FIA summon Asad Mehmood over Pakistan Post recruitments

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Asad Mehmood, a former federal communications minister and son of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, over alleged illegal recruitments at Pakistan Post Office. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also summoned him in the same matter.

According to the reports, NAB Rawalpindi issued a notice on Wednesday asking Mehmood to appear before its investigation team at 11 AM on 10 November. The inquiry concerns alleged irregularities at Pakistan Post Office during his time as minister, from 2022 to 2023.

The notice says the Establishment Division permitted the filling of 3,938 posts, but 4,252 people were allegedly recruited. 24 News reported that documents available to the channel showed these figures.

NAB also alleges that 2,646 recruitments were made against abolished posts, contrary to cabinet committee directives. It says permanent appointments were made even though recommendations had called for hiring on contract through a testing agency. According to the notice, this added a financial burden on the post office.

The notice further alleges the use of fake and bogus documents, the recruitment of overage candidates and violations of the domicile quota.

NAB warned that if Mehmood does not comply, legal action can be taken under section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.

The FIA's Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad is separately investigating the Pakistan Post Office recruitments. Reports say its notice was sent to Mehmood on 30 October and asked him to record his statement on 2 November at 11 AM. The reports do not say whether he appeared or has responded to either agency. These are allegations in notices, not findings.