The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) of Balochistan has arrested a contractor and an official of the Forest and Wildlife Department over their alleged involvement in a Rs260 million corruption case.
ACE officials stated that Maqbool-ul-Hassan Dashti, who served as forest conservator (coastal management), was allegedly involved in financial misappropriation during the fiscal year 2024–25 across multiple development projects.
The projects included a mangrove research centre, afforestation, land levelling, nursery development, mangrove plantation, rest houses and other construction works.
Officials stated that several of these projects, which were to be executed by the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, were instead carried out by the Forest and Wildlife Department.
They further stated that some projects were recorded as completed on paper, while others were found to be incomplete or not meeting required standards during inspection.
Funds were also allegedly misused through advance payments, according to officials.
Following an inquiry and approval from the relevant authority, the deputy director of ACE in Kalat division registered a case against Dashti and contractor Mehtab Alam.
Officials stated that Dashti has absconded while raids are being conducted to arrest him.
