Failing to adhere to instructions: PDA officials suspended over graft allegations

Enquiry committee formed to probe into allegations levelled, asked to submit report

PESHAWAR: Two high-level officials — Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) Building Control Agency (BCA) Director Khan Afzal Afridi and PDA BCA Deputy Director Abdul Bais — have been suspended from their duties over graft allegations.

According to a notification issued from the office of PDA director general on Friday, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, services of Afridi were suspended with immediate effect following the decision of the board in its meeting held on June 27. The moot was held to initiate disciplinary proceeding against him under the services rules.

Similarly, a separate notification has been issued for the suspension of Bais.

A high-level officer privy to the matter confirmed the suspension of both the officers. He told The Express Tribune the officers were involved in alleged malpractices in the directorate of BCA. He added an enquiry committee will further investigate the matter.

An enquiry committee to probe into allegations levelled against the officials comprises PDA Planning and Development Director Muhammad Arif and PDA Engineering Director Jumma Rehman. The committee has been asked to submit a report on the charges pressed against the suspended officers within 10 days after the issuance of their suspension order.



According to PDA charge sheet, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, Afridi had violated orders of K-P CM who had asked for the removal of hoardings and billboards. It added the officer failed to submit a report within the stipulated time.

The document added the official failed to adhere to the orders of PDA DG and submitted annual reports directly to the local government department. “He also deliberately showed the period of reports which were submitted from September 14, 2015 to December 21, 2015 which was not a short period,” it stated.

The sheet also stated Afridi had used unofficial language in the letter he had written to PDA director. “You [Khan Afzal Afridi] for reasons mentioned above, appear to be guilty of misconduct under rule-22(b) of the PUDB Services Rules, 1978,” it read.

He was asked to submit the written defence within 10 days of the receipt of the charge to the enquiry committee, otherwise one-sided action will be taken against him.

A similar charge sheet was also sent to BCA deputy director. It stated the official had been suspended for violating rules – he did not pay heed to the directives of PDA DG and submitted annual reports directly to local government department.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2016.