Whilst it is understood that the police on active duty 24/7 for extended periods need to eat along the way there is also an understanding that the costs they incur whilst on duty are a matter of record as well. The police did not record expenditure via a cash book nor was there any evidence regarding the deduction of income tax. There were at least 16 firms contracted — without benefit of a tender — to provide food and a lot of people made a lot of money very quickly.
Unsurprisingly, the AGP is doubtful about the authenticity of the expenditure as well he might be. It appears that the capital police regarded the dharna as an opportunity for a little off-book financial irregularity. It was not only food items that were off-book — so were the Rs101.5 million for vehicle hire. As to why Rs1.9 million were paid to a stone crushing and sand firm for the provision of tents the mind can but boggle. Perhaps stone tents are more durable than the regular canvas variety. The list of unusual payments continues, and there seems scarcely a single area of expenditure surrounding the policing of the dharna that is correctly accounted for. Farcical and risible as this may seem it is yet another example of casual corruption, the state being defrauded of millions by the very agency tasked with upholding law and order. We trust the Auditor General of Pakistan pursues this matter to the bitterest of ends.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2017.
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