Punjab Anti-Corruption Dept restrained from initiating criminal action against Raza Mansha

Anti-corruption dept committee tells court that it has found serious irregularities

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday restrained Punjab Anti-Corruption Department from launching criminal proceedings against Muhammad Raza Mansha – son of the country’s biggest tycoon – for ‘causing’ loss to the public exchequer while setting up a cement factory.

During the hearing of a review petition filed by DG Khan Cement Factory through senior lawyer Salman Aslam Butt, a three member-bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, barred the department from proceeding against the chief executives of DG Cement and Bestway factories.

The review petition was filed in light of the provincial anti-corruption department’s inquiry team recommending criminal action against Raza after noting “serious lapses/ illegalities/ irregularities committed by different departments in the process of setting up cement factories and favouritism extended to the proponents – DG Khan Cement factory and Bestway Cement factories.”

The five-member special committee led by Anti-Corruption Establishment Lahore Regional Director Abdul Shakoor had been instructed by the apex court to probe whether lapses occurred or favouritism was shown by the concerned officers of the Industry Department during setting up of three cement industries in the Kalarkahar area during the General Pervez Musharraf era.

In its report, the committee found 15 individuals responsible for extending undue favour, causing lapses in the process of issuance of NOCs and non-fulfilling the codal formalities for setting up three factories in district Chakwal.

It proposed criminal action or imposition of fine or penalty and recovery against DG Khan Cement Factory CEO Mansha and Bestway Cement Factory CEO Zameer Ahmad.

The people named in the report included former secretary industries department Major (retd ) Fayyaz, former secretary environment Iqbal Sheikh, then director environment Ahmad Nadeem, Chakwal former DCO Azam Saleem, Chakwal former district nazim Ghulam Abbas, former tehsil nazim Hafeezur Rehman and Kalarkahar former Tehsil Nazim Peer Sajid Karooli etc.