ISLAMABAD (Eshfak Mughal): The authorities have paid Rs.6 billion though cash transfers to the contractors of Billion Tree Tsunami project on simple thumb impression and unverified names without CNIC and other details, it was claim in the report of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on allegedly embezzlement in the state of the art projects of PTI government.
The NAB has presented report to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the different projects of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) led KPK provincial and federal governments.
The inquiry report shows that mapping of the sites of the project has been conducted and analyses of the sites of the project are varying which are indicating embezzlement and corruption. Money trail and samplings utilization trail of alleged private nurseries of Amjad All Khan and his relatives / associates are also indicating nepotism and corruption in the project.
The report shows that the authorities have made payments worth Rs.6 billion through cash transfers on simple thumb impressions and unverified names without mentioning CNIC which must be done through crossed cheque. The FSL report to the extent of D.I. Khan Forest Division has been received and beneficiaries of similar finger prints are being associated for reaching the logical conclusion, the report further shows.
“Watering mechanism and cost incurred on the same is being compared with rainfall index the same areas, as suggested, to unearth any possible fake bills generated with respect to watering of plantation activities executed under Billion Tree project”, mentioned in the report.
The officials of the NAB told the committee that Rs1100 payments were made through cash transfers in the projects which are directly corruption.
The NAB’s report further shows that the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project was also affected with corruption. Authorities have made payments to an individual through different windows worth Rs1.1 billion without CNIC number which shows that ghost payments were made in the project to facilitate somebody.
On inquiry of utilization of helicopter by unauthorized persons in KPK, the committee was informed that this is misuse of authority / Loss to State Exchequer through use of KP Government’s Helicopters by Imran Khan, MNA an amount of Rs. 198,343,776 is involved. They said that the case was referred to Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for recovery of the loss caused to the exchequer through use of Helicopters by unauthorized persons and a copy to Election Commission of Pakistan in case of politicians in the light of PAC directions.
The NAB also presented current status of Bus Rapid Transit Transport Peshawar worth of Rs64 billion. They said that the authorities have made complicated to the bidding process of the project to protect the interests of certain and favorite individuals. “At the time of bidding, the consultancy work, detail engineering designs were not completed which was clear violation of the planning manual. The authorities have accepted fake guarantees from the favorite bidders”, the committee was informed.
The NAB has completed inquiry and investigation mode has been authorized.
The PAC was also apprised about the allegedly embezzlement in the health sector of KPK. They told the committee that the inquiry against officers and officials of Health department of KPK and other regarding corrupt practices and embezzlement of funds while procuring services for COVID-19 an amount of Rs1.0 billion is involved and inquiry is on advance stage.
The NAB officials told the committee that inquiry against officers and officials of directorate of health services (Ex-Fata) and others has been re-authorized. This is case of corruption and corrupt practices/misuse of authority in procurement of medical equipment’s/money laundering and amount of Rs4.3 billion is involved.
They claimed that the health department has purchased hospitals’ beds at Rs1.0 million per bed which is available at Rs.40 thousand at market rate.
The committee passed serious observations and said that this has been played against the country, the accused should be arrested.