Govt launches probe into Central district ‘corruption’

LG board seeks details of contracts awarded for garbage collection, fuel provision, other matters

KARACHI:

The Sindh government's local government board (LGB) has decided to launch an inquiry into corruption and irregularities carried out by officials during the four-year tenure of former Central district chairperson Rehan Hashmi.

According to sources, a letter signed by the LGB administrative inquiries officer, Muhammad Farooq Bugti, was sent to Central district municipal commissioner Sameera Hussain, with regard to the investigation.

The letter stated that alleged corruption and irregularities by additional sanitation director Nadeem Haider, director Muhammad Ali and accountant Syed Muhammad Ayaz were being investigated. Hussain had been asked to direct the nominated officials to provide the relevant records to the board by November 12, but no records were handed over. On November 23, the LGB issued a reminder, ordering the officials to provide the records by November 27.

However, sources told The Express Tribune, records pertaining to the inquiry have still not been provided. Meanwhile, Hussain and Central administrator and deputy commissioner Muhammad Bakhsh Raja Dharejo have maintained silence on the matter, which is reportedly creating doubts about their own involvement in providing patronage to the officials in question.

The LGB has sought records regarding 39 different municipal issues, including details pertaining to contracts made for door-to-door garbage collection, details pertaining to the fuel provided to officials and workers, details for quotations and payments for vehicle repair and maintenance, the service profile of the officials, the promotion records of employees and other matters

. Sources claimed that corruption worth millions of rupees had allegedly been carried out in the district on a monthly basis under the cover of door-to-door garbage collection, by making payments to preferred contractors on the basis of bogus quotations in order to collect large commissions. They further stated that the LGB has decided to take strict action against the accused officials, with a raid expected in the district soon. They added that investigation agencies may also be consulted in line with the probe.