The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has sought assistance from its legal department for the issuance of an arrest warrant of a former managing director (MD) of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) on corruption charges.
Preliminary investigation showed that Rasheed Lone was guilty of corruption during his tenure as former head of the largest integrated gas company in Pakistan, according to FIA investigators.
“FIA has substantial evidence that Lone misappropriated a huge chunk of money from the Rs100 million donation to the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS),” according to a senior official.
He said that inquiries regarding misuse of authority were initiated against 24 officials, including five Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and 21 SNGPL officials.
Lone did not respond to the FIA’s repeated reminders seeking details of his assets over the past six months, hampering the investigation, an official said. “Proceedings against him were initiated in August last year. The ministry of petroleum and natural resources was requested to provide the offender’s record,” he said.
The official said that the former MD had reduced gas reconnection charges for industrial consumers, who collectively owed the company Rs160 million, in return for bribes. He also appointed his son Saulat Lone as an assistant engineer in the company.
Lone has compelled investigators to take strict action by his refusal to cooperate with them, the official added.
“I am not satisfied with FIA’s investigation. My counsel will take up the matter,” Lone told The Express Tribune. “The allegations leveled against me are false and I will prove it before investigators and in court,” he added.
The FIA is also conducting inquiries against general manager transport PIA Rida Rathor, flight officer Talha Ahmad and district sales manager Dera Ismail Khan for alleged embezzlement of millions of rupees.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2011.
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