The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa National Accountability Bureau has filed a reference regarding the embezzlement of Rs1,098 million in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme in the adjoining districts in the Peshawar accountability court.
After completing its investigation into large-scale embezzlement, the provincial graft buster named 31 suspects, including 19 officers of Pakistan Public Works Department, in the reference on charges of illegal contracts and corruption.
In this regard, it has been learned that the government had allocated Rs1,800 million for development schemes in the merged districts under the SDGs programme.
The fund was for 52 development schemes in three districts of Khyber, Mohmand, and Bajaur.
The fund was allocated in fiscal year 2021-22.
According to the reference, the accused in collusion illegally awarded 47 contracts, and also made payments on fake measurement books.
It stated that illegal contracts and fake measurement books caused a loss of Rs1,098 million to the national exchequer.
After completing the investigation, NAB filed a reference in the accountability court. The hearing is expected in the next few days.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2023.
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