Saeed orders probe into NHFHS corruption

State minister orders FIA to submit report within a month

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Communications Murad Saeed on Monday ordered inquiry into the allegations of embezzlement and corruption in the National High Foundation Housing Scheme (NHFHS).

Saeed, who recently assumed charge as state minister, has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to carry out a forensic audit of the scheme and submit report within a month.

The housing scheme was launched in 2003 for employees of the National Highway Authority, but during a recent scrutiny the minister found that contracts had been awarded without competitive bidding process.



Similarly, the land was acquired without evaluating the true market value. This led to suspicions that the land was purchased on higher market rates.

“There were also instances where contracts were cancelled without following certain conditions,” said the minister. He added that the government would not allow anyone to plunder money and based on the investigations, would take all those responsible to task.

An official privy to this development told The Express Tribune that after the launch of this scheme, it was given to some private parties to operate the NHFHS, which without following proper rules and regulations, awarded the contracts, and “looted and fooled the people”.