Embezzlement charges: Report sought on latest ADP data for Larkana since 2008

Petition seeks inquiry against Faryal Talpur, Ayaz Soomro for misappropriating funds worth Rs12b

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought a report from the provincial government, reflecting updated numbers for Larkana district in the annual development project (ADP) schemes since 2008, following allegations that the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) leaders have misappropriated funds meant for their own party's hometown.

Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed the two-judge bench, passed this order on a petition seeking inquiry against PPP MNA Faryal Talpur, former Ratodero nazim Shafqat Hussain Soomro and former law minister Ayaz Soomro over alleged misappropriation and embezzlement of funds worth Rs12 billion allocated for development and beautification of the Larkana city project.

Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Larkana, had approached the court over the alleged misappropriation and corruption in the development works in Larkana. PPP women wing leader Talpur, who is also the sister of party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, Shafqat and Ayaz, former DCO, deputy commissioner, director of the Larkana development project and others were named as respondents in the petition.

The petitioner submitted that after the 2008 elections, development and beautification of Larkana city project had been announced apart from other development schemes and funds worth Rs12 billions had been allocated for the project.

He alleged that roads and other development works were carried out without any proper planning and substandard material were used. The petitioner pointed out that mostly reconstructed roads have been destroyed in rains while several others developed cracks at different places. Besides, none of the roads in Larkana have been improved or widened, he added.

Ahmed said that citizens of Larkana were facing hardships in the shape of traffic jams, polluted air, stagnant sewerage water on roads and frequent accidents.

He alleged that internal drains and roads have been made with substandard material and a major portion of the grant had been usurped. But, nobody has taken the pains to check the conditions of Larkana, he said.

Therefore, he had pleaded to the court to order constitution of a committee based on honest town planners and other technical persons to probe into the misappropriation, ill-planning and embezzlement of public money of Larkana development project on a large scale by the respondents.

During Thursday's proceedings, CJ Shah observed, "The petitioner's grievance appears to be that money has been misappropriated in the [ADP], Larkana. He says Rs90 billion were granted in the scheme of ADP, but hardly a few billion have been spent."

Denying the allegations that the funds had been misappropriated, the additional attorney-general, Ghulam Mustafa Mahesar, contended that the allegations of the petitioner are totally exaggerated.

However, the bench directed the law officer to submit a statement reflecting the ADP funds allocated for Larkana up to date since 2008. The hearing was adjourned for a date to be later notified by the office.

The petition was filed in January 2013 at Circuit bench, Larkana, but the matter could be taken up only once at Larkana. The matter was subsequently transferred to the SHC principal seat and notices were issued to respondents.

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