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Helicopter misuse case: Anti-graft body summons Imran Khan
Islamabad, Aug 3 (IANS) Pakistan’s anti-corruption body on Friday summoned Prime Minister in-waiting Imran Khan on August 7 in an ongoing inquiry against his alleged misuse of government’s helicopters.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief is accused of illegally using an Mi-17 and an Ecureuil helicopter belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for 74 hours, causing a loss of Rs 2.1 million to the national exchequer, the Pakistani media reported.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI has led the provincial government since 2013.
A National Accountability Bureau (NAB) official said that statements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and aviation authorities in the case have been recorded, Geo News reported.
Khan had earlier said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government made it clear that there was never any personal or private use of government helicopters by him. He also said that NAB was “most welcome” to examine the issue.
This is not the first time the accountability watchdog has summoned the 65-year-old politician. He was summoned in July as well, however, he skipped the July 18 hearing owing to “busy schedule”.
On January 29 this year, Geo News reported that the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spent millions of rupees on Khan’s use of the provincial government’s helicopters.
NAB chairman Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal in February directed the bureau to launch a probe against the PTI chief and the then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister over the issue.
Khattak has already appeared before NAB in the case. Khan is scheduled to take oath of office on August 11.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.