PHOTO: NATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY BUREAU
PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter of National Accountability Bureau has opened an inquiry against officials of the Office of the Agency Surgeon, North Waziristan Agency for bungling Rs22.7 million worth of funds meant for purchase and free distribution of medicines in government hospitals.
Regional board of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has authorised inquiries against the officials of agency surgeon of North Waziristan Agency, a statement of the corruption watchdog said.
He however, did not mention any name, as recently, the NWA Agency Surgeon has been replaced. According to reports, Dr Rehman Afridi was transferred from the post and Dr Inayatur Rehman was appointed the agency surgeon earlier this month.
Apparently, NAB has opened a detailed inquiry against the allegations of misappropriation of funds in the whole process of purchase and distribution of medicines in the government health care facilities in NWA.
NAB K-P Director General Brig (Retd) Farooq Naser Awan, while chairing the bureau’s meeting, gave the nod to open the probe.
He has also authorised inquiry against officials of K-P Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC).
KPEZDMC has been established, as non-profit organisation, within the meaning of section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 and is wholly owned by K-P government. The company aims to develop and manage industrial estates in the province so as to help organize and establish planned and rapid industrialisation in K-P. Rehabilitation of the existing industrial estates is also part of the objectives of this company.
However, the corruption watchdog believes that all is not going well in the company.
During the meeting the NAB K-P board approved an inquiry against officers and officials of KPEZDMC for corruption and corrupt practices and misuse of authority, the statement said.
The KPEZDMS officers and officials are likely to be charged for non-compliance with Public Sector Companies (Corporate Governance) Rules, 2013. They are further alleged misappropriation of public money through lavish expenditures, misuse of authority in illegal appointments and tempering tenders against KPPRA Rules.
The officers and officials of Fata Secretariat and Fata Development Authority (FDA) are also to be netted for their alleged corruption and corrupt practice and misuse of authority. They are allegedly involved illegal appointment in different cadres without adopting codal formalities.
The board recommended seeking approval of NAB Chairman Javed Iqba for conversion of inquiry into investigation against officers and officials of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Housing Authority. During the course of inquiry irregularities and illegalities were found in appointment in various cadres of the authority, the NAB Board observed.
Concluding the meeting, the NAB K-P Director General Farooq Naser Awan urged he people to become whistlerblowers against corruption n the province.
He requested general public to join hands with NAB K-P for eradication of corruption from the province. The meeting was attended by directors, additional directors, case officers, senior legal consultants and other officers concerned.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2017.
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