A huge financial scandal has been unearthed at Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), where a whopping Rs793 million, allocated for educational development projects, has allegedly been embezzled.
On the formal complaint of a university employee, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered a case and arrested the varsity's deputy director finance, Qamaruddin Sheikh, during a raid on the campus. FIA officials confirmed that key financial records were also taken into custody during the operation.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, FIA Deputy Director Afroz Kalhoro, who led the operation on Friday, confirmed the arrest, saying that raids were continuing to arrest other suspects involved in the massive financial scandal.
The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Shahnawaz Chandio, an employee of the university, who accused senior members of the university administration of embezzling development funds released by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
According to FIA officials, the HEC had disbursed Rs793 million for the upgradation of the Software Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and other academic departments.
However, the money was allegedly siphoned off by the university officials, sources claimed.
The arrested finance director was produced before a judicial magistrate, who remanded him in FIA custody for four days for further interrogation.
Documents obtained during the investigation reveal that the university's purchase committee had procured 52 air-conditioners, 200 computers, and 39 printers under the HEC-funded projects. However, FIA officials said that glaring irregularities were found in the procurement process, raising suspicions of large-scale corruption.
Apart from Sheikh, several other senior officials of the university, including Nadeem Soomro, Deputy Director, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology; Prof Pradeep Kumar, Chairman, Software Engineering Department; Prof Adnan Arain, Chairman, Telecommunication Department; and Prof Abdul Nasir Laghari, Environmental Sciences Department have been named in the FIR. Private contractors allegedly involved in the scam, identified as Israr and Syed Mansoor Shah, have also been booked.
Sources revealed that QUEST VC Dr Saleem Raza Samoon went on leave shortly after the FIA launched its inquiry. According to university insiders, Dr Samoon was officially on leave from July 14 to 17, but has yet to report back. In his absence, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Zahid Abro has assumed acting charge of the institution.
Repeated attempts to contact the vice chancellor for his version remained unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Meanwhile, FIA officials said the investigation was ongoing and further arrests were expected as more evidence was uncovered.
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