Tussle within: Wapda criticises decision to arrest Pesco SDO

PESHAWAR: The illegal detention of Pesco SDO Alam Zeb by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been vehemently criticised Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). However, an FIA official has insisted that a vigilance team from Wapda was present during the raid in which the official was arrested.

A Wapda official told The Express Tribune the agency has taken the law in its own hands as it has registered a fake case against Pesco SDO Alam Zeb. “The fake case is registered under Section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 along with Section 39-A of the electricity act and Section 409 and 109 Pakistan Penal Code.”

The SDO was arrested in a raid conducted by FIA on Friday. The FIA found illegal meters in Zeb’s house in Hayatabad Town.



The Wapda official have alleged Zeb has been taken into custody by FIA because Pesco disconnected power supply from the house of FIA Assistant Director Sardarullah Babar. The electricity connection was disconnected on August 4, 2016 as Babar had failed to pay his bills since January.

The officials added, “The Pesco SDO has denied the allegations against the detained Wapda official. However, FIA has detained the Pesco team and has forced them to sign a fake report in support of the FIR’s contents.”

The official said the allegation contain in FIR against the detained official have been denied. Meanwhile, FIA has detained Pesco team and forced them to sign a fake report in support of contents of FIIR.

“The high-handedness of FIA can also be ascertained from the fact that Alam Zeb car has also illegally taken by them.”

Provincial Secretary of Hydro-power Labour Union, Mustajab Mazdooryar, has also alleged the FIA official has taken Zeb into custody to settle their scores.

“FIA has detained the SDO because he disconnected electricity to an FIA employee’s residence due to nonpayment of dues up to over Rs40, 000.” He added, “The detained SDO neither stole electricity nor was he involved in any corrupt practices.

He added, “Electricity to FIA’s premises has been disconnected as a form of protest on the night when the SDO was arrested.”

An official of the FIA told The Express Tribune Wapda’s vigilance team accompanied FIA during the raid on the SDO’s house. He said the house was identified by Wapda and FIA was mot aware that the house was owned by Pesco’s SDO where two illegal meters were found.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2016.