Rs3m embezzled from capital’s boy scouts body
Tasked with teaching young children to make ethical and moral choices, a case of embezzlement has emerged in the boy scouts body of the federal capital.
Islamabad Boy Scouts Association (IBSA) Commissioner Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi has directed to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Rs3 million were withdrawn from IBSA’s accounts allegedly through cheques carrying forged signatures.
Documents read by The Express Tribune, show that 10 cheques worth a total of Rs3 million were issued by IBSA in June. The beneficiaries included individuals Ameer Humza, and Abdul Hayee Sheikh. Businesses which were paid included Mehar Brothers, MH Business Machine and Nawaz Enterprises (which received two separate cheques for Rs96,025 and Rs94,193).
There were two cheques for paying staff salaries and honorariums worth Rs781,461 and Rs107,200 respectively on June 17.
Initial investigations suggest that while the cheques carried the signatures of the treasurer, he did not sign them.
Boy scouts play proactive role in plantation campaign in the capital
Honorary Treasurer and Rawalpindi Education Board Chairman Dr Ghulam Dastagir categorically denied signing any of the cheques which were attributed to a meeting during his visit to the National Headquarters of the Pakistan Boys Scouts Association (PBSA).
At this, the relevant officials took notice of the matter.
IBSA Commissioner Qureshi maintained that the association’s secretary had allegedly failed to obtain signatures from the treasurer. Rather, he affixed scanned signatures on the cheques fraudulently. Apart from ordering a probe into the cheques, the official has also requested an audit of the outgoing financial year 2019-20, including all procurements made during this period to ensure transparency and accountability in IBSA.
Qureshi told The Express Tribune that they will conduct a complete inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, IBSA Secretary Abdul Hayee Sheikh resigned on the pretext of poor health soon after the matter surfaced. The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) director has been given the additional charge of IBSA secretary.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2020.