PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested a senior official of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Communication and Works (C&W) Department, Qaisar Iqbal, in connection with one of the largest alleged corruption scandals in the province’s history.

According to NAB sources, Qaisar Iqbal, who began his career as a clerk and later rose to the position of head clerk in the C&W Department, is accused of embezzling millions of rupees from government funds through fake bills and forged cheques. Investigators allege that he amassed vast wealth during his tenure, including luxury vehicles, gold, and multiple properties purchased with ill-gotten money.

During a raid, NAB officials reportedly recovered huge stacks of cash from his residence along with official records, benami bank account details, and documents believed to be linked to the scam. Images released from the operation show trunks and tables filled with currency notes, highlighting the sheer scale of the alleged corruption.

The Communication and Works Department is among the most significant provincial departments, responsible for building all kinds of infrastructure-related projects, including roads, buildings, and bridges. Billions of rupees are spent annually through this department, which is widely believed to suffer from massive financial leakages—estimated at nearly 30 percent—due to commissions, kickbacks, and ghost contracts.

Qaisar Iqbal has been taken into custody for physical remand as NAB expands its probe to identify other officials and contractors potentially involved in the network of corruption. The case has triggered strong public reaction, with social media users expressing outrage over persistent misuse of public funds in key government departments.