{
  "id": 2928667,
  "title": "Comstech chief remains defiant in face of ‘damning inquiry’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/comstech-chief-remains-defiant-in-face-of-damning-inquiry",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T02:37:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2024822/comstech-chief-remains-defiant-in-face-of-damning-inquiry"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An inquiry committee, established on President Asif Ali Zardari's orders, has found the head of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) guilty of misconduct. Comstech Coordinator General Dr Iqbal Choudhry was accused of financial irregularities, violating executive orders, and failing to comply with court directives. However, Choudhry disputes the inquiry's legitimacy, calling it a \"one-sided\" process. He argues he was never informed of the allegations and criticizes what he perceives as procedural irregularities. The committee's report alleges that Choudhry engaged in more than 70 foreign trips without proper presidential approval and used funds for personal gain. It also points to a lack of transparency and democratic practices within Comstech. Choudhry contends that his actions fall under OIC procedures and can't be unilaterally challenged by the president. The inquiry committee has recommended that the matter be handed over to anti-corruption authorities for further investigation.",
  "summary": "• President-ordered probe found OIC official guilty of ‘misconduct, non-compliance’ • Accused official calls inquiry ‘one-sided’, claims Presidency was ‘misused’ ISLAMABAD: An inquiry committee formed on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari has declared the top official of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Comstech chief remains defiant in face of ‘damning inquiry’ on charges of misconduct",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/comstech-chief-remains-defiant-in-face-of-damning-inquiry-on-charges",
        "published": "2026-08-24T02:51:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}