Asad Mahmood NAB Notice: Second Summons Over Post Jobs
The National Accountability Bureau has issued a second Asad Mahmood NAB notice, directing the son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to appear in person at 11am on Friday, November 13, in an inquiry into alleged illegal appointments in the Pakistan Post Office Department. The Express Tribune reported that the bureau’s Rawalpindi office issued the fresh call-up notice on Tuesday, after Mahmood failed to appear on November 10.
NAB Rawalpindi is conducting an inquiry against officials and employees of the Pakistan Post Office Department, and others, over allegations of illegal recruitment. Mahmood served as federal minister for communications and postal services from 2022 to 2023, and the appointments under question were made during his tenure.
He was required to appear before the bureau on November 10. Instead, he sent a written reply through his lawyer. NAB officials found the response unsatisfactory and issued a fresh notice, directing him to appear in person. The notice warned that failure to appear could lead to legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
Asad Mahmood NAB notice: the numbers behind the inquiry
The figures at the centre of the inquiry are stark. According to the earlier NAB notice, the Establishment Division had authorised recruitment against 3,938 posts at the Pakistan Post Office, but 4,252 people were allegedly appointed. The inquiry has also flagged appointments against 2,646 abolished posts, allegedly in violation of cabinet committee directives.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Posts authorised by the Establishment Division | 3,938 |
| People allegedly appointed | 4,252 |
| Appointments against abolished posts | 2,646 |
NAB maintains that, despite recommendations for contractual recruitment through a testing agency, a large number of permanent appointments were made. The bureau says those appointments could place an extra financial burden on the department, which already struggles with costs.
What happens on November 13
The second notice directs Mahmood to appear before the Combined Investigation Team at NAB Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Civic Centre, G-6, Islamabad, at 11am on Friday to record his statement on the allegations. The notice itself refers to an earlier call-up notice dated November 2.
The bureau had already summoned him once before in the same inquiry. The first summons covered alleged irregularities in appointments at the Pakistan Post Office during his time as minister. This time, the notice makes clear that a personal appearance is required, and that a written reply will not do.
Why the case carries weight
The warning under Section 31 raises the stakes. The first notice drew only a written reply from Mahmood’s lawyer, while the second demands that he present himself before investigators. If he stays away again, NAB has signalled that it can move to legal proceedings under the ordinance.
The case also lands in a charged political setting. Fazlur Rehman leads the JUI-F, a party that has been active in opposition politics in recent weeks. The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Aain-i-Pakistan, which Fazl leads, has sought a judicial review of the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party’s volunteer force, Ansar-ul-Islam, was deployed to guard the JUI-F secretariat in Peshawar. A JUI-F worker, Qari Iftikhar, was detained in Islamabad.
Accountability cases against political figures have moved slowly through the courts this year. The Islamabad High Court adjourned the 190 million pound corruption case for ten days and ordered a meeting between Imran Khan and his legal team. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also issued notices to Hajj operators linked to Fazl. Against that backdrop, Friday’s appearance will show whether the NAB inquiry moves from notices to a recorded statement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NAB inquiry against Asad Mahmood about?
NAB Rawalpindi is inquiring into alleged illegal appointments in the Pakistan Post Office Department during Mahmood’s tenure as federal minister for communications and postal services from 2022 to 2023.
When must Asad Mahmood appear before NAB?
He must appear in person at 11am on Friday, November 13, before the Combined Investigation Team at NAB Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Civic Centre, G-6, Islamabad.
Why did NAB issue a second notice?
Mahmood was due to appear on November 10 but sent a written reply through his lawyer instead. NAB found the reply unsatisfactory and issued a fresh notice requiring a personal appearance.
How many appointments are under question?
The Establishment Division authorised recruitment against 3,938 posts, but 4,252 people were allegedly appointed. The inquiry also flagged appointments against 2,646 abolished posts.
What happens if he does not appear?
The notice warns that failure to appear could lead to legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
