Key RDA graft accused opts for plea bargain

A major development has occurred in the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) mega corruption scandal involving Rs2.6 billion.

After his arrest, the stenographer accused of transferring huge sums from RDA's official account to those of nominated officers and his wife confessed to the crime and agreed to a plea bargain.

Accused Jahangir Ahmed told the NAB investigation team and court that he received Rs13 million, which he had transferred to his wife Saima Jahangir's personal account with the consent of the nominated officers.

He agreed to return the full amount and immediately submitted Rs4.5 million as the first instalment.

NAB chairman approved his plea bargain request, and Accountability Court Judge Sheikh Ijaz Ali ordered his release. Following the court's approval, Jahangir Ahmed was freed from Adiala Jail.

The accused, who is the son-in-law of former District Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas, has been declared ineligible for 10 years under NAB laws due to his confession, which also puts his job at risk.

He also handed over data to NAB showing millions of rupees transferred to accounts of RDA officers, their brothers, and families.

NAB sources said the noose is tightening around other RDA officials, and arrests are expected soon.

It is noteworthy that the financial scandal at RDA, which had remained undetected for six years by senior officers with signature authority over financial matters, specifically the Director General of RDA and the Director of Finance, was uncovered in the second week of May this year.

This is considered the biggest financial scandal in RDA's history, spanning nearly a decade. Despite the fact that RDA accounts were audited regularly each year, the massive embezzlement went unnoticed.

Shockingly, none of the authorised financial officers, including Director Generals and Directors of Administration and Finance, ever requested or reviewed the bank statements to track fund transfers, an act that could have exposed the issue much earlier and led to the establishment of a more secure financial system.

During this period, the Divisional Commissioners of Rawalpindi also served as acting DGs of RDA, including the current Secretary Housing Punjab. Several officers from the DMG group, some of whom are now retired or serving in other high-ranking positions, also held the RDA DG post during this time.

In July this year, the RDA administration begun implementing key reforms to restore financial discipline. As an initial step, the implementation of an irregular promotion was halted, and a revised framework for financial authority was introduced.