SC questions NDMA over failure to show transparent expenditure

Court inquires why crucial documents have not been submitted in coronavirus suo motu case

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court raised serious questions on Tuesday over the National Disaster Management Authority's (NDMA) failure to ensure transparency in expenditures pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic and locust control.

A five-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, heard the coronavirus suo moto case, during which the CJP suggested abolishing the NDMA over the authority's failure to explain its expenses.

NDMA has yet to submit crucial documents, observed the CJP. Where are the documents permitting imports of machinery from Al-Hafeez Crystoplast (Pvt) Ltd, he asked. The CJP also inquired why the documents have not been submitted despite directives being issued thrice in this regard. Where are the details pertaining to chartering the aircraft and its payments, he asked further.

The director of NDMA maintained before the court that the authority did not import machines from Al-Hafeez company.

The owner of the company has yet to appear, noted the CJP. The real issue is non-compliance with customs and other laws, he remarked.

Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Hasan noted that the cost of the machinery has not been disclosed in the documents.

Over Rs10.7 million was paid for the charter, observed the CJP. How were the payments made according to the charter agreement, he asked. How can someone give this much cash in Karachi, asked the CJP.

Where are the documents pertaining to imports of vaccine and the medicines, asked the CJP

The relevant authorities will have to satisfy the court, said the Attorney General.

The CJP observed that it appeared that the NDMA would have to be abolished as its chief has failed to provide explanations.

Perhaps a lot has gone wrong and attempts are being made to cover up, observed the CJP. Should contempt of court notices be issued to the NDMA chief, he asked.

The institutions of the country should be run in a transparent manner, said the chief justice.

The NDMA was given a free hand and hefty amounts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, said Justice Hasan. The authority is answerable to the court and the people, he added.

The NDMA is acquiring planes and machinery for locust control, noted the CJP. Transparency will have to be ensured through documents and not just verbal statements, he remarked, adding that it was not comprehensible how billions of rupees were being spent.

From corona to floods to locusts, everything has been handed over to the NDMA, remarked Justice Hasan. But the NDMA's admin member himself does not know anything, he added.