Asad Mahmood skips second NAB summonsPakistan

Appointments were also allegedly made against 2,646 abolished posts, in violation of cabinet committee directives, NAB has alleged. The bureau is examining how the appointments were made and who was responsible for approving them. Investigators are also looking into whether the appointments were made in line with the rules governing public-sector recruitment.

Earlier reply termed unsatisfactory

Mahmood had also not appeared before the bureau on November 10, when he instead submitted a written reply through his lawyer. NAB officials termed the reply unsatisfactory, after which a second notice was issued directing him to appear in person. The second notice was issued because the first reply was not considered acceptable by the bureau.

The second notice directed Mahmood to appear before NAB at 11am on Friday, November 13, and warned that failure to appear could lead to legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. He did not appear despite the warning.

Third notice expected

Sources said NAB will soon serve a third notice on Mahmood, and if that too is ignored, the bureau could take stern action, including arrest. The inquiry remains at an early stage, and no formal charges have been announced.

Mahmood served as federal minister for communications and postal services from 2022 to 2023. The inquiry centres on appointments made in the Pakistan Post Office Department during that period, which NAB alleges exceeded the authorised strength and included posts that had been abolished.

The case has drawn attention because of Mahmood’s position as the son of the JUI-F chief, one of the country’s senior political figures. NAB has not commented publicly on the next steps in the inquiry beyond the notices already served.

The bureau’s inquiry is continuing, and further developments are expected after the third notice is served, sources said.