RSU head commandeers use of World Bank-donated vehicle
Faisal Uqaili’s family used vehicle until it was snatched at gunpoint on May 19
File photo of a Toyota Vigo. PHOTO: MITULA CARS
KARACHI:
It is a known fact that many ministers and bureaucrats flout the rules by using government-issued vehicles for personal use, but a curious case has emerged of a Toyota Vigo that was donated by the World Bank to the education department’s Reform Support Unit (RSU) for field visits.
Instead of being used for its actual purpose, the vehicle, bearing the licence GSD-165, was being used by RSU head Faisal Ahmed Uqaili’s family.
The vehicle, which is to aid in the improvement of education in the province, was used to pick and drop Faisal’s children from school and for other domestic work. In an interesting twist, the Vigo was snatched at gunpoint when Faisal’s family members were in shopping in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area on May 19. Since then, there has been no trace of the vehicle.
Official sources in the education department told The Express Tribune that from day one, there had been a dispute over the possession of the vehicle, as former education secretary Fazlullah Pechucho, before being relieved from his post, had recommended that the Vigo be handed over to Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dar. Newly appointed Education Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili, however, refused to listen to the suggestion and instead handed over the vehicle to the RSU head, who is also his first cousin.
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“The World Bank donated this vehicle for the RSU programme and the bank will raise objections if the vehicle does not go into the field for its actual purpose,” said the secretary, turning down’s Pechuho’s suggestion.
According to sources, however, the vehicle never went into the field to inspect schools. The RSU incharge already had a government-issued car and this Vigo was given in order to appease him. “The education secretary and RSU incharge are cousins. Who will inquire about the matter and ensure that things are done in a proper manner? Local officials of the World Bank are aware about it, but no one takes action,” lamented the sources.
Gulistan-e-Jahuar SHO Rao Zakir told The Express Tribune said that the vehicle was snatched from Continental Bakery in Gulistan-e-Jauhar where Faisal’s family members had come to purchase something. “We have lodged an FIR, no 232/17, against unidentified suspects and the case is under investigation,” he said, adding that the silver coloured Vigo had been in the personal use of the family for quite some time and the matter had now been handed over to Anti Car Lifting Cell (AVCC).
Ghost schools still haunt Sindh education sector
Soon after taking charge, the incumbent chief minister took notice of vehicles being misused by government officials. He directed ministers and officers to return to such vehicles within 24 hours or face the action but nothing was done.
“Dozens of vehicles are still in the use of unauthorised persons who are not entitled to them and no one takes action,” said a senior official who serves in the general administration and coordination department. He added that many retired officials have yet to surrender their government-issued vehicles.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Faisal refuted the allegations against him and denied that the vehicle was being used by his family. “The World Bank donated this Vigo to us. I was entitled to use it. The vehicle was snatched when my driver took my mother shopping in it,” he claimed.
Despite many attempts, the education minister and World Bank officials could not be reached for comments.
It is a known fact that many ministers and bureaucrats flout the rules by using government-issued vehicles for personal use, but a curious case has emerged of a Toyota Vigo that was donated by the World Bank to the education department’s Reform Support Unit (RSU) for field visits.
Instead of being used for its actual purpose, the vehicle, bearing the licence GSD-165, was being used by RSU head Faisal Ahmed Uqaili’s family.
The vehicle, which is to aid in the improvement of education in the province, was used to pick and drop Faisal’s children from school and for other domestic work. In an interesting twist, the Vigo was snatched at gunpoint when Faisal’s family members were in shopping in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area on May 19. Since then, there has been no trace of the vehicle.
Official sources in the education department told The Express Tribune that from day one, there had been a dispute over the possession of the vehicle, as former education secretary Fazlullah Pechucho, before being relieved from his post, had recommended that the Vigo be handed over to Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dar. Newly appointed Education Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili, however, refused to listen to the suggestion and instead handed over the vehicle to the RSU head, who is also his first cousin.
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“The World Bank donated this vehicle for the RSU programme and the bank will raise objections if the vehicle does not go into the field for its actual purpose,” said the secretary, turning down’s Pechuho’s suggestion.
According to sources, however, the vehicle never went into the field to inspect schools. The RSU incharge already had a government-issued car and this Vigo was given in order to appease him. “The education secretary and RSU incharge are cousins. Who will inquire about the matter and ensure that things are done in a proper manner? Local officials of the World Bank are aware about it, but no one takes action,” lamented the sources.
Gulistan-e-Jahuar SHO Rao Zakir told The Express Tribune said that the vehicle was snatched from Continental Bakery in Gulistan-e-Jauhar where Faisal’s family members had come to purchase something. “We have lodged an FIR, no 232/17, against unidentified suspects and the case is under investigation,” he said, adding that the silver coloured Vigo had been in the personal use of the family for quite some time and the matter had now been handed over to Anti Car Lifting Cell (AVCC).
Ghost schools still haunt Sindh education sector
Soon after taking charge, the incumbent chief minister took notice of vehicles being misused by government officials. He directed ministers and officers to return to such vehicles within 24 hours or face the action but nothing was done.
“Dozens of vehicles are still in the use of unauthorised persons who are not entitled to them and no one takes action,” said a senior official who serves in the general administration and coordination department. He added that many retired officials have yet to surrender their government-issued vehicles.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Faisal refuted the allegations against him and denied that the vehicle was being used by his family. “The World Bank donated this Vigo to us. I was entitled to use it. The vehicle was snatched when my driver took my mother shopping in it,” he claimed.
Despite many attempts, the education minister and World Bank officials could not be reached for comments.