Naushahro Feroze DC flees abroad

Was supposed to be part of probe into multibillion- rupee motorway land acquisition scam

KARACHI:

The deputy commissioner of Naushahro Feroze, Tashfeen Alam has flown abroad apparently to avoid ongoing investigations into a multibillion-rupee land acquisition scam.

Tashfeen Alam was missing for the last few days after the scandal of mega corruption in Hyderababd-Sukkur M6 Motorway land acquisition project surfaced.

According to sources in the immigration department, Tashfeen Alam left for Dubai on November 19. Sindh chief secretary had suspended the DC for his absence.

A corruption of Rs4 billion has also been revealed in Naushahro Feroze, after which it has been decided to include other districts on the route of M6 project in the investigation. The chief secretary has asked for the details of release of funds from other districts on the issue.

The Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has arrested Matiari district Deputy Commissioner Adnan Rashid for involvement in release of Rs2.14 billion in a bogus way through 438 cheques.

An FIR was lodged nominating the DC Rashid, AC Abbassi and assistant manager Sindh Bank in Matiari district, Tabish Shah, on the complaint of an ACE official Irfan Ali in Hyderabad.

According to the FIR, which was based on the inquiry committee's fact finding report, a sum of Rs4.6348 billion was in the DC's NHA related account till October 12, 2022. The amount included Rs542.189 million profit over the deposit which was given by the bank.

However, in connivance with the bank official, the revenue official got released Rs2.14 billion through 438 cheques in a span of 26 days from October 17 to November 13. The procedures laid down in the law for acquisition vof the land was not followed.

Meanwhile, three more people were picked up on Sunday for questioning in the Rs2.14 billion land acquisition scam concerning the construction of the M6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway.

ACE rounded up DC Adnan Rashid's secretary Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the DC office's accountant Syed Jurial Ali Shah and DC's driver Wazeer Bugti from Matiari.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2022.