Day at court: Anti-corruption dept restrained from arresting LRH auditor

Seeks replies from secretaries interior, finance in case of unpaid compensation


Our Correspondent April 15, 2016
Peshawar High Court. PHOTO: PPI

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court has restrained the anti-corruption department from arresting the Lady Reading Hospital auditor in a corruption case. The court issued a notice to the department and sought a reply from it.

The bench, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Roohul Amin, was hearing a writ petition filed by Naseem Ahmad, the auditor of the hospital. The bench was informed the petitioner was accused of misappropriating millions in funds meant for the purchase of equipment.

The petitioner’s counsel, Shah Faisal Utmankhel, said the allegations were baseless because the petitioner’s responsibility was just to monitor the purchase of equipment. He added, “The finance director manages the affairs related to purchase of different equipment for the hospital.” He told the court there was no electronic record to prove the amount of funds spent on purchase.

“The anti-corruption department has started an enquiry against the petitioner and asked him to appear before the investigation officer,” said Utmankhel. “The petitioner might be arrested.” Utmankhel requested the bench to stop the department from arresting him.

The bench accepted the plea and issued notice to the department and stopped it from arresting the petitioner.

Meanwhile, the same bench sought replies from the Frontier Constabulary commandant, interior secretary and finance secretary on the non-payment of compensation to the family of a martyr.

Nasir Ghelzai, the lawyer representing Shazmina Bibi said the petitioner’s husband constable Nawaz Khan was martyred during Operation Rah-e-Haq in Swat in 2007. He said so far only Rs0.5 million were given to her under Shuhada package. The remaining amount and other perks were yet to be paid despite an announcement by the government, said Ghelzai.

He requested the bench to order the government to pay the compensation amount under the Shuhada package.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th,  2016.

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