Slow progress in cases by NAB irks PAC panel

Convener says will withdraw inquiry if watchdog did not abide by timeframe

ISLAMABAD:

The subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday expressed displeasure over the slow progress in cases referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and decided to convey its concerns in writing to the anti-graft body’s chairman.

The subcommittee, which met here with its convener Riaz Fatyana in the chair, also gave the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman two months’ time to take disciplinary action against the ones responsible for not cancelling those commercial plots whose lease had not been renewed.

The meeting reviewed the audit objections of the CDA and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) for 2017-18. According to the audit report presented before the committee, those commercial plots, whose lease was not renewed by the CDA, had not been cancelled.

Audit officials told the committee that 524 plots were given on lease for a period of 33 years. The CDA chairman told the committee that Rs233 million had been recovered. NAB officials told the committee that they had received 159 cases from the CDA.

Committee member Munaza Hassan said that despite instructions issued in 2019, the CDA could not provide complete record. However, the CDA chairman said that complete record has been provided, adding that the authority would also provide the record to NAB.

The committee convener inquired about the disciplinary action. The CDA chairman said that the inquiry had not yet been completed. He requested the committee for two months’ time for disciplinary action. The committee granted the request.

While reviewing another audit objection, the committee expressed displeasure and deep concern over the slow progress in cases referred to NAB. The convener said that if NAB did not abide by the timeframe, the committee would withdraw the inquiry.

According to the audit report, unauthorised approval of the layout plans of the housing scheme was given based on forged documents. The convener directed the CDA to take action on the matter and report back to the committee.

The audit report also revealed that 413 transformers were installed for street lights at various locations in Islamabad, of which three transformers along with wires and street light poles had been stolen. The committee was informed that 21 police cases had been registered.

Convener Fatyana quipped that in terms of performance, the police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were the first cousins. And in a lighter vein, he added that the police could not solve 20 of the 21 cases.