Islamabad, November 4,2026: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former federal minister for communications Asad Mahmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment at the Pakistan Post Office during his tenure in 2022 and 2023.
According to the NAB notice, Mahmood has been directed to appear before the bureau’s investigation team on November 10 at 11am to respond to questions concerning the recruitment process.
Mahmood served as federal minister for communications in the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), following the removal of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.
According to the notice, the Establishment Division had authorised recruitment against 3,938 vacancies in the Pakistan Post Office. However, 4,252 people were allegedly appointed, exceeding the approved number of positions.
The bureau further alleged that appointments were made against 2,646 abolished vacancies in violation of the cabinet committee’s instructions.
The notice also stated that permanent appointments were made despite recommendations for recruitment on a contractual basis through a testing agency.
Other allegations include the use of fake and bogus documents, recruitment of overage candidates and violations of the prescribed domicile quota.
NAB has warned that failure to comply with the summons could lead to legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad has also issued a summons to Mahmood in connection with the Pakistan Post recruitment investigation.
The FIA had directed the former minister to appear before its investigators on November 2 at 11am to record his statement.
The agency is investigating alleged serious irregularities and corruption in recruitment at the Pakistan Post Office during Mahmood’s tenure as communications minister.
The investigations by NAB and the FIA are ongoing, and the allegations remain subject to the findings of the respective investigative authorities.
