ISLAMABAD: The Deputy Director of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been arrested on allegations of aiding accused individuals involved in embezzlement cases in exchange for monetary benefits.

Reportedly, Imran Shaikh, the Deputy Director, was apprehended by a joint operation conducted by the NAB chapters in Karachi and Islamabad.

He stands accused of accepting bribes from individuals arrested on charges of corruption and embezzlement. Deputy Director Imran Shaikh has been granted a one-day transit remand by the corruption watchdog and is scheduled to be transferred to Islamabad on Monday.

Earlier, on February 16, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained 15 suspects, including seven officers from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Passport Immigration, in connection with a case involving the issuance of counterfeit Pakistani passports to Afghan nationals. Among those arrested are three Assistant Directors from Passport Immigration and four officers from NADRA.

Additionally, four agents and five Afghan nationals were apprehended during the operation. The FIA took action based on complaints filed by NADRA and the Passport Office.