In a breakthrough of the multi-billion rupee corruption scandal linked to development projects in Kohistan, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approved a plea bargain request from the prime suspect, Muhammad Ayub.

According to NAB sources, Ayub has agreed to return Rs1.45 billion as part of the agreement, which has received formal approval from the NAB Chairman.

Ayub is accused of carrying out suspicious bank transactions amounting to Rs3.45 billion.

NAB investigations revealed that he had acquired high-value properties in Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Mansehra, all of which have now been frozen. The bureau is expected to initiate the auction of these assets in the coming days.

NAB further stated that the plea bargain will be submitted to the accountability court within three days.

Upon completion of the legal process, the recovered funds will be deposited into the national treasury.

This case involves alleged embezzlement and fraudulent contracts in development schemes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohistan district, with the total estimated loss to the national exchequer reaching Rs40 billion.

NAB officials confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests and recoveries anticipated.