Islamabad, Aug 30: At least 20 retired top army, naval and air force officials of Pakistan, including three army chiefs, were involved in a whopping $1-billion kickbacks in several controversial defence contracts, the daily News has reported. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Pakistan has documents, which provide enough evidence for launching a full-scale probe against these officials for receiving commissions in purchases of tanks, submarines, naval mine hunters, Mirage fighters and jeeps. Among those involved in the kickbacks are two former naval chiefs and an air force chief, besides three army chiefs. The paper said while the NAB had already launched prosecution against many politicians bureaucrats and businessmen, it was still hesitating to proceed against top military brass, who were involved in shady deals. The NAB was barred from investigating corruption charges against the serving defence officers, though there was no restriction in launching investigations into past defence deals. While a majority of the controversial deals had not yet been touched by the NAB, it was making efforts to seek the extradition of former Naval Chief Admiral Mansural Haq from the US in connection with the investigations into the controversial submarine deal. Documents indicated that Direction Des Constructions Navales International (DCN-I) of France had made an indirect payment of $5 million to the admiral for over invoicing upgradation project for three Agosta B submarines. The paper said the former naval chief has left his daughter`s residence at Texas for an undisclosed destination. It is learnt that some Pakistani officials have given him information about the government`s decision to seek his extradition. In another case, Commodore Shahid, former director of Naval Intelligence, who was court-martialed and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for his alleged role in the submarine deal, had been pardoned after only three months of conviction. The paper also referred to kickbacks in the $250 million-dollar Edrain Class minesweepers. The NAB has, so far, not questioned Adm A.U. Khan and Rear Adm Mujtaba, two senior officials, who played a crucial role in the purchase of Agosta submarines. The NAB documents also indicated the role of former Director-General, defence procurement, Rear Adm Saeed Akhtar in the Mirage deal, which was concluded during Air Chief Marshal Abbas Kathak`s period. Rear Adm Saaed left his job and migrated to Europe amid reports that three were involved in $20 million kickbacks in the controversial Mirage deal. The paper said former NAB chief, Senator Saifur Rehman, had personally investigated Gen Jehangir Karmat`s T-80 tank deal with Ukraine. The company that acted as a go-between the general`s headquarters and Ukraine suppliers was investigated to establish the role played by Lt Col (Retd) Alias Moda in the deal. Several retired officers, who spoke to the paper`s investigating team, also referred to corruption in purchase of 3,700 Landrover jeeps. The key supplier of the jeeps to the army was a close relative of the then serving Lt Gen, who was also the main decision-maker in the purchase. The NAB had to investigate Lt Gen Farruk Khan`s decision to allow advance payment of Rs 25 crore to Mitsubishi for a power plant. The Japanese company later cancelled the project, causing a loss of Rs 25 crore. — UNI