ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested on Tuesday a senior director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the charges of being involved in human trafficking and possessing assets beyond his l
After arresting Shafgat Ali Cheema on the complaint of his own ministry, the NAB raided his house and seized some relevant documents.

The bureau also recovered Rs50 million from a bank accountofthe accused.

He will be produced in the accountability court of Islamabad on Wednesday (today) for seeking his 14-day physical remand under the NAB Ordinance, 1999.

According to a statement issued by the bureau, an inquiry was initiated against Cheema by the NAB`s Rawalpindi bureau. His and his family members` assets were looked into and relevant details were received from the authorities concerned.

`A review of Cheema and his private business company`s bank accounts showed a rather heavy turnover,` it said. His salary and service record has also been obtained.

It said the NAB had acted on a complaint about Cheema`s frequent tours to Europe and the US with his family in recent years.

A source in the NAB told Dawn that the foreign ministry`s director was arrested from his office and the secretary of the ministry had already been informed about the arrest.

Cheema is said to be the official in charge of Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal desk at the ministry.

He has been accused of illegally sending a number of people abroad and receiving heavy amounts from them.