Muhammad Khan Bhatti, ex-principal secretary to former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab (ACE) from Balochistan.
Reportedly, he was busted while on his way to flee to Iran from Balochistan border.
Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment DG has established a four members committee to bring him back to the ACE headquarters.
He has been booked by Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment for taking bribe in return of managing lucrative postings for government officers.
An FIR registered by ACE Lahore region-A, Bhatti had received millions of rupees for lucrative postings from SDO Highway Rana Muhammad Ashraf during last few years.
He often would reach Muhammad Khan Bhatti’s house to hand over money where Moonis Elahi and Civil and Work Minister Afzal Sahi would also be sitting.
Bhatti verbally attacked SDO Rana Muhammad Iqbal after the latter expressed hesitation towards providing money that was requested.
The statement further read that other officers would also get their ‘jobs’ done after paying millions of rupees as bribe from government funds.
The FIR further mentioned that Rana Muhammad Iqbal paid at least Rs70 million as kickbacks and bribe during posting as XEN M&R Gujrat Division, 250 million rupees during posting as SDO Phalia Highway subdivision, Rs4 million for additional charge from May 2021 to May 2022 as XEN Highways District Kasur and 120 million rupees for awarding contract to Naveed construction company and Rana construction company.
Moreover, one Dilshad Ahmad paid Rs4 million as XEN Highways, Kashif Shakoor Rs5 million as C&W SE Lahore Circle, Fateh Muhammad two million rupees as XEN Highways Sahiwal.
FIR also mentioned the names of other officers also. All such officers have also been nominated as accused persons in the FIR. An arrested accused person in the case has recorded statements against him in the court.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2023.
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