SC orders NAB to probe Thar coal project
PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe alleged corruption in the Thar coal project.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan referred the project to the corruption watchdog, with instructions to submit an initial report in light of the final audit report of the project compiled by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
The top court also ordered NAB to take action against persons involved in corrupt practices.
At the outset of the hearing, the chief justice remarked that money had been laundered that was why nobody cared about it.
“The people of Thar have been deprived of basic amenities and do not have clean water for drinking,” the chief justice remarked, adding the situation was not good in Thatta, Manoora and Sajawal.
“All money transferred from one account to another, that is why no one shows interest,” the chief justice remarked.
The Supreme Court in its order said that the audit report showed that the funds meant for development and welfare were not used in a transparent manner. “Neither are the RO plants set up as per the requirements, nor is there water available.”
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Moreover, solar power plants to run water filtration plants were also not set up, the top court said, adding the planned mobile emergency health unit was not made to function and the special development package was misused.
“Prima facie, development and welfare funds are grossly misappropriated and there are irregularities and [largely] misspent.”
The Supreme Court said the Sindh government did not bother to even look into the matter which showed its carefree attitude.
“The Sindh chief minister and any other official have shown no interest in the issue,” the chief justice remarked.
“The government does not take action despite the submission of the final audit report of the project compiled by the Auditor General of Pakistan,” the chief justice remarked.
He ordered the audit report be sent to the NAB chairman and inform the court whether the matter pertains to corruption and illegal use of authority.
The court then adjourned the hearing for three months.