PU housing scheme mired in financial misconduct allegations

The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has issued summon notices to Punjab University professors, officials, and former registrars in a mega corruption scandal worth over Rs6 billion.

The case is related to alleged fraud, financial irregularities, and misuse of authority in the PU Town 3 housing scheme. The summon notices were issued based on a complaint filed by Dr Khuram Shahzad, Assistant Professor at the School of Communication Studies.

Among those summoned by ACE are Dr Sajid Rashid, Dr Mahboob Hussain, Dr Azhar Naeem, former registrar Dr Khalid Khan, Dr Liaqat Ali, and others. Dr Shahzad and other affected individuals of PU Town 3 have accused Dr Azhar Naeem, Secretary Management Committee, of awarding a contract worth Rs2.7 billion to a company without following proper procedures.

They allege that the company is owned by Dr Naeem's real brother. Additionally, it is alleged that Rs4 billion worth of commercial land was given to the brother's company free of cost, despite being purchased using funds from PU Town 3 members.

The affectees claim that certain professors on the management committee benefited greatly from the Town 3 project, as their assets multiplied after its launch. They further state that the developed plots promised to them have not been delivered, and the accused individuals have misused the project funds for personal gain.

The ACE ADG heard the developer of the scheme and assured action based on the merits of the case, as the accused professors failed to appear before the authorities.

Previously, in 2021, the former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court directed ACE to investigate the affairs of PU Town 3.

ACE's report highlighted serious financial irregularities and illegalities worth billions of rupees. However, despite the Chief Justice's directives to develop and deliver the plots within a year, the plots on the purchased land for PU Town 3 have not been developed even after 1.5 years.

Affected individuals, including Dr Shabbir Sarwar and Dr. Aamir Saeed, are demanding that ACE ensure the delivery of plots on the originally purchased land for PU Town 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2023.