Official sacked for exposing irregularities in WB-funded project

Revelations raise serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of World Bank-funded initiative

KARACHI:

In a shocking development, an official who blew the whistle on irregularities and abuses of power in a World Bank-funded programme to the Sindh secretary of school education has been sent packing.

As per details available with The Express Tribune, the whistleblower, identified as HR Manager Hameed Alwani, detailed the alleged irregularities and misuse of power in a letter to the chief secretary and the secretary of school education.

Despite a ban from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on posting and transfers, Alwani was unjustly removed from his post. The letter sheds light on missing laptops, computer servers, and other equipment from the World Bank-funded programme, none of which were recorded in the official register. Moreover, five out of the 10 vehicles purchased for the project have mysteriously disappeared.

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Two of the missing vehicles were recovered from the residence of a female project coordinator. According to the letter, the contract for the programme was awarded to VTT Global firm after receiving bid documents on a previous date.

The letter exposes the stoppage of HR Manager Hameed Alwani’s salary, contravening ECP orders. This punitive action was taken due to Alwani’s outspoken opposition to the illicit award of contracts worth millions of rupees to a private company within the programme.

The revelations raise serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the World Bank-funded initiative, prompting a call for a thorough investigation into these alleged irregularities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2024.