Former Pakistani CM's aide arrested in arms scandal

Pakistan's anti-corruption watchdog today arrested the former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's brother-in-law and an advisor for alleged involvement in a Rs 1.8 billion scam related to the purchase of arms for police.
Former Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti's advisor for the police department, Niaz Ali Shah, and his brother-in-law Raza Ali Khan were among those arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Former provincial police chief Malik Naveed is already in NAB's custody. Naveed and the other accused have been blamed for a loss of Rs 1.8 billion in the purchase of arms.
NAB had ordered an inquiry against police officers of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other persons for alleged embezzlement in procuring weapons, equipment and vehicles during 2008-10. The organisation said they had violated government rules and caused losses to state exchequer.

An amount of over Rs 7 billion was released by the provincial government for buying weapons and equipment to counter militants.
The inquiry revealed there was "gross violation" of procurement rules by the purchase committee in awarding tenders to certain contractors who had no experience of supplying such items. Huge commissions and bribes were allegedly involved in the contracts, NAB said.