NAB flouts PM order

Despite the premier’s instructions, the bureau refuses to vacate RMC building.

ISLAMABAD:

In violation of the Prime Minister’s direction, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has refused to vacate the girls’ hostel of Rawalpindi Medical College. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had recently taken serious notice of the “illegal occupation” and directed the bureau to shift its offices from the girls’ hostel building.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry few months ago during the hearing of a case regarding Rangers’ illegal occupation of a land belonging to agriculture and educational departments also observed, “It has come into our notice that NAB has apathetically occupied the RMC hostel forcing our daughters to live in expensive private apartments.”

Responding to a question by Senator SM Zafar, the law minister told the upper house of the parliament during question hour that the Cabinet Division and Works Division are working to resolve this issue. Exact timeframe to vacate the girls’ hostel cannot be given before availability of an alternative accommodation, he said. “However, as soon as a suitable building is allotted, RMC hostel will be vacated within two weeks,” he assured.

Moreover, the NAB officials are also not ready to talk with Young Doctors Association (YDA) on the issue. Dr Umer, a representative of YDA told The Express Tribune, “We are going to convene an emergency meeting of YDA general body to announce our next plan of action,” he said. Bureaucracy was creating hurdles and they are not implementing the PM’s orders, he added.

Law Minister, Maula Bux Chandio, said the Punjab government had allotted RMC building to the NAB in March 2000 because it had been lying vacant for eight years.

Now, on the demand of the students for hostel and RMC, Rawalpindi District Administration was forcing the NAB officials to vacate it. Considering the genuine demand of the students, NAB has been striving hard to find a suitable location for the offices of NAB Rawalpindi, Chandio said.

Replying to another question, Chandio said, “Now, it has been learnt that the Prime Minister has given special instructions for the allotment of an alternative building to NAB.” A number of buildings were explored but due to security hazards and other reasons no suitable accommodation could be finalised, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2011.