Islamabad: Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to the United States and a business tycoon, has come under the radar of Pakistan’ prime anti-corruption organisation.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) decided on Monday to request the government to place the name of Ali Jahangir Siddiqui on the Exit Control List (ECL) so he cannot travel abroad until the investigation is completed.

“The NAB has decided to write a letter to the interior ministry to place the names of Ahmad Humayun and Ali Jahangir Siddique on the ECL in an inquiry against Azgard Nine Ltd and Agritech Ltd and others,” says a statement issued by NAB.

The decision was made during a meeting at the NAB Headquarters, presided over by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal.

The bureau is currently investigating a case related to alleged embezzlement of Rs40 billion (Dh1.2 billion) through the sale of shares of Agritech Limited by Azgard Nine Limited (ANL) to different financial and government institutions at a higher-than-market price in a bid to settle the outstanding loans of the company.

Siddiqui, a director ANL, is accused of manipulation of shares that caused losses of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

Siddiqui is allegedly named in 19 inquiries pertaining to corruption, money laundering and violation of State Bank of Pakistan’s rules. A probe regarding the alleged corruption in under process by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

On March 22, Siddiqui appeared before investigators and recorded his statement in which he denied involvement in any scam.

In the first week of March, the government had announced it would appoint Siddiqui, currently serving as Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, as ambassador to the US. The decision was highly criticised by the opposition and analysts.

NAB initiates inquiry against Safdar’s assets

In the meeting, NAB has also initiated two cases of complaints against the PML-N leader and son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif, Captain (retd) Safdar. He is being held accountable for “accumulation of assets beyond known source of income” and getting Rs9 billion development funds under the Prime Minister’s Programme of Sustainable Development Goals.

The complaint against Safdar states that he owns 150,000 square metres of land in Mansehra, a 15,000 square metre plot, a 500-square metre house, a flour mills in Township, Mansehra, and other assets.

Safdar also came under NAB’s scrutiny in January for ‘unfair’ awarding contracts of Rs3 billion development schemes in violation of rules and regulations.

In recent months, NAB has launched a massive anti-corruption drive in the country and several high profile cases including that of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family and former finance minister Ishaq Dar, are under scrutiny. “NAB is absolutely committed to eradicating corruption at all costs in the country” Chairman of NAB Justice Javed Iqbal said.

NAB had adopted a proactive strategy to check corruption at all levels with an iron hand, he said.

“Today, officers have been directed to nab the corrupt and recover the hard-earned looted money of innocent people, as fight against corruption is our national duty.”