Dodgy dealings: Corruption taints 88 armed forces officials
A report from the defence ministry has unearthed the alleged involvement of almost a hundred armed forces officials in corruption. The revelations come following the Public Accounts Committee’s declaration that three top army generals were responsible for the Rs1.8 billion losses in the National Logistics Cell scam.
According to the report, four officials from General Headquarters (GHQ) are involved in corruption – while 21 employees from the army are involved in financial irregularities related to military lands and cantonments.
A senior officer from the Pakistan Armed Services Board, 36 officials from the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation and 12 officers from Air Headquarters are also facing corruption charges.
The total number of officials is 88.
ISPR spokesperson Maj Gen Athar Abbas said he could not explain the report as it relates to the defence ministry. Cases of mismanagement against military officials, he said, could be of any nature. Since there are various divisions of the Pakistan army, it is not always possible for him to keep track of each one, Abbas added.
Senator Talha Mehmood of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) had sought details about officials in the armed forces against whom corruption cases had surfaced during the last three years. The concerned ministry submitted the report to the Senate, a copy of which is also available with The Express Tribune.
According to the report, Irfan Asghar, a former central executive officer in Peshawar, embezzled millions of rupees by allotting a ghost plot during his tenure.
Amir Masood and Tauqeer Ahmed, chief executive officers in Murree Hills, embezzled Rs3.45 million from the cantonment fund.
Chief Executive Officer Nowshera, Basit Saleem illegally constructed shops on state land. Abdul Majeed, ex-supervisor at GHQ, is involved in pilfering of oat seed from the Rakh Garistan Abad Military Farm, Multan.
Muhammad Mazhar, Civil Tel. Supervisor was involved in printing and using fake military warrants and the procurement of stamps and a serial number machine.
A senior nursing officer in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) used the fake signature of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Esther Aqeel Samar, an officer of PG-VI in PIA prepared a fake document, resulting in his posting to the United Kingsom in 2009.
A senior PIA official Abu Bakar also submitted fake documents to the British embassy in Abu Dhabi to secure a new posting. Both officials have been dismissed from the service and inquiries are being conducted.
Deputy General Manager (works) Fareed Mughal illegally rented out billions of rupees worth of property owned by PIA to a private firm in Islamabad.
PIA spokesperson Syed Sultan Hassan said the official report on corruption cases against workers of the national flag carrier can only be confirmed by the human resource department. “I cannot explain the matter until I check the official record,” he told The Express Tribune.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken up case of Rs3.45 million embezzled by Habib Hussain, accountant CB Murree Hills. The FIA also kicked off investigations of ex-accountant officers Mumtaz Ali, Abdul Karim and Umar Hakeem and 15 other senior officials who were involved in embezzling Rs77 million through fraudulent payments on account of haircutting and washing allowances and misappropriation in their offices.
An inquiry has also been initiated against three senior military officials Ajmal Said, Masood Shah and Amanullah Khan on issuing fake income tax deduction certificates to contractors and clearing fake bills of Karachi Fixed Communication Signal Company.
The ministry of defence has started inquires into the cases of three senior officials of the directorate of educational institutions. The three are Associate Professor Azhar Malik, Headmistress Najmus Sahar and Lower Division Clerk Khalid Mehmood.
Over three dozen PIA officials are facing corruption cases in various courts and official inquiries. Some senior officials have smuggled million of rupees of drugs and other precious metals. Senior PIA officer of PG-VII Rana Ahsanullah smuggled Nokia Brand Mobiles, Kamran Liaque and Fakhar-e-Alam of PG-III smuggled 84 non-duty mobile sets and air steward Ali Khan smuggled cigarettes.
Draft charges against Senior Cantonment Engineer Abdul Rahim, Assistant Eng Arshad Jamil, senior Inspectors Rajab Ali, Ahmad Ali, Overseers Babar Zaidi and Muhammad Anwar and two other officers are being framed. These individuals started unauthorised construction in Punjab Colony and Delhi Colony in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2011.
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Financial irregularity, corruption and fraud are different things. This news item pertains to some annual audit report. any of the reader been to government services would know it.
Financial Irregularity, is mostly related to documents related to financial matters, that too which could not be produced infront of audit team.In most of the cases these are settled by submitting required documents.
Corruption and re-appropriation are usually taken as same. Its just the matter of competent authority's formal consent. e.g in cold regions (like Quetta) budget allotment for heating purpose can only be used to purchase coal (since financial regulations could not be changed without involving parliament); It is very common to produce 'fake' coal purchase receipts and utilize this amount for clean, and cheap Sui gas bill.
Fraud, forgering documents etc are real offences and Army is very harsh on these things. I have seen officers being court martial and sent home on giving away his travel concession vouchers to some of his relatives. No need to raise alarm by 'driving everything with the same stick', at least there is some system of check on all government institutes and military. last comment: Cantonment Executive Officer is not a military person.
Three Pakistani cricket players were swiftly convicted of corruption. The UK did Pakistan a favour.
No reason to hold back on this lot either. Time to sanitize the environment and make it corruption free.
Now's a good opportunity for Pakistan to hold everyone accountable at every level and every institution. All the way to the top.
I am amazed at the kind of mudslinging going on here. Can the editor answer following As per the wrong heading given to the article by Express tribune, 88 armed forces members have been reported as involved in corruption. The heading is extremely misleading. PIA and cantonment boards are not part of Armed Forces, but only employees of Defence minitsry The heading appears to be a deliberate attempt of targeting Armed forces. There is some serious problem with this web forum. This question needs to be answered by editor why he chose a wrong headline? Secondly I feel pity for so called honest comment makers, who without reading the article carefully have started accusing armed forces. Why dont you remember Major Ayun case who was dismissed from army in days, found involved in corruption? How much speedy justice do you want?\ I have doubts about credibility of this web forum. How can you do this editor? answer??
Good at least the PAC has the courage to point fingers at corruption by civilian and military officers.
"Armed forces are part of same society . They don’t live on a remote island somewhere away from land of pure."
Yes, they live in the same State of Pakistan as any other Pakistani. The difference is that they have created a "state" in the State. This little "state" is more powerful than the rest of the bigger State. The inhabitants of the "state" are not under the control of the State of Pakistan; but it is otherwise.
Every country has its Army, but in Pakistan Army has a country.
@saqib, @TARIQ FAZAL, they are officials of the armed forces. Why shouldn't we say it -- corruption is present in every corner of Pakistan. Unfortunately, the armed forces are not immune. We should look at how to make the country more open, honest and corruption-free -- that includes our armed forces.
PAC is doing a good job. ch nisar ur a brave man.keep it going.
The heading is very misleading.Instead of Defense Ministry Officials the term Armed forces officials has been used which needs be rectified.
@Junaid: untouchables . . . !!!!
If the establishment is corrupt, then they can be bought by any Govt in the world (including India).
Armed forces are part of same society . They don't live on a remote island somewhere away from land of pure. Yes,corruption is prevalent. What do you expect when government tries to bury the demands of objective and impartial accountability under the inane slogans of 'politics of reconciliation' , 'democracy is the best revenge' and 'saving the system'.?
So only the civillians associated with Army were responsible for the Corruption. No serving Army official was involved????? Yet only once they retire we get to hear about it. Half truth is more dangerous than complete lies ET, please have some courage to publish the detail report if not than do us a favor and dont post the story.
This report was carried out by the Defence Minisrty. If it was a civilian report it would name in there 1000's.
I totally agree with Saquib who said " dont know why our dear readers as well ET journalists cannot distinguish between Armed forces officers and MOD bureaucrats." Yes; thank God not a single name from the 'uniform' is mentioned. It reassures the nation that their armed forces are the best, unique and most valiant in the world.
Ch Nisar, Thank you, sir.
Holy Cow getting ready for Qurbani on Eid...
I dont know why our dear readers as well ET journalists cannot distinguish between Armed forces officers and MOD bureaucrats. Come on people, despite your hatred against the AFs, let it not taint your good judgement. The truth is that MOD, PIA, MLC people have done that, and only 3 AF Generals have been mentioned. Have a heart to call wrong, wrong.
Accountibility for all! lets generals face the brunt.
'See i told you' Army is no exception guys!
We adored, respected, obeyed and cherished four Army Dictators. We never brought them to justice and never treated them badly as the Arabs in Maghreb are doing.
Now why there is such a hue and cry against 88 corrupt Army officers?
We are indeed strange people!
Slight correction suggested, the Cantonment Board CEO's are actually CANTONMENT Executive Officers and not Chief Executive Officers which exist in civilian or private companies.
I am neither from or related to armed forces nor defending them BUT this is a clear case of YELLOW journalism. The news item is based on a preliminary accusative report, though it may prove correct later, but getting it on headlines and that too with wrong captions. Those allegedly involved, more than 90% are civilians from defence ministry, so it should have been "defence ministry" instead of "armed forces". A clear malign attempt on newspaper part. It is good to point out corruption whether in military, politics, judiciary or elsewhere, but this is just entrancingly malefic as any unbiased reader would find.
The title suggests 88 armed forces persons, where as the article itself contains a list of corruption by PIA officials or for that matter defense personnel. ET you got to match your headlines with content for readers facilitation.
Lack of Accountability is a major issue for Pakistan, there is munafqat and compromise rampant among public office holders....chacha, mama, bhai kinship has ruined every institution.... only draculan law of hanging could melt the ice but who would implement it???? nazar
I am sure Armed Forces will move against these black sheeps and bring them to justice. Though the damage has been done to the reputation of an institution, damage limiting measures will be undertaken and the culprits will be made an example if found guilty.
About their counterparts, they will continue with same zest and zeal in their jobs, and would be let free after some time. I remember a case in which the Cantt executive Officer in Quetta sold about 500 plots in Quetta (jinnah Town) on fake documents in 1997. Civilians who get punished will move to the higher courts and at some stage they will be acquitted on technical grounds.
The name of GHQ is used without mentioning names or ranks. Totally misleading headlines. There are different departments which come under Ministry of Defense. Report is not clear.
Shame on them.....
The corrupt walk around with their head held high as they realise that there is no system of accountability or punishment and sadly it is deliberately kept like this.
Whey ONLY the names of the civilians have been published Why not the ARMY. if you name and shame then be just and SHAME all
Anything against Armed Forces draws instant attention. I went through the complete report and there is not even a single uniform wearing officer involved. Maximum are from Cantt boards who cannot be called officers of armed forces, similarly official of PIA are of course under MOD but they are not officers of Armed Forces. Incquiry against the three generals who had invested the NLC money in stock exchange is already underway. So dont make headlines with of something which doesnt have the basis. Of course official of armed forces are from the same society and they can also be found involved in corruption like one major who sold copper calbes but was instantly court martialled.
Well,well,well-- atleast some body dared to mentioned the involment 0f a few top genarals amongs others ! Will this news, with the passage of time, will go in obscurity as usual or justice will be done ? Unless the trials are made public, and severe punishments are given as in the case of disgraced Pakistani cricketers, I think the counrty will bleed to death.( God forbid ) But the pakistani cricketers were tried under British law, let us see the result of trial if any, by the courts of Islamic republic of Pakistan.
These are all small fries I wish they would go after the top brass who steal millions while the countries defences disintegrate.
3 Generals vs 85 other officials: The caption should've been less biased. 90% readers would fall for journalist blackmailing just by reading the headline and curse the AFs only. Noone should be spared from corruption, general or no general. However, media in general and ET in particular should not sow the seeds of hatred between Pakistanis and their institutions. I hope you know what i mean.
@Aamir: and you will do that?
Does anybody seriously expect the names of the "gernail" to be outed?
At least its a start for some accountability, generals may come latter. Where on average, whole nation is corrupt any action is a scarce commodity and implementations are rare.
@Junaid: Junaid their name has been revealed atleast a dozen times in newspapers. In fact even ISPR has given statements against these 3 generals and detailed their name. Just a simple google search would clear that for you.
The caption should be Department of defense officials and not armed forces officers. Clear difference between the two. The caption is intentionally misleading.
The government should investigate the matter thoroughly and sack all those employees who have been involved in cheating and plundering.
They should not only be dismissed from their respective jobs, but cases should also be initiated in the court of law to punish them severely.
Properties made by these corrupt officials should be sold out in open auction to recover the money and should be deposited in the government treasury’s account.
What about the Generals and their names ET.Why have they made only civilian names public?
Turn a stone and every where you find the same Lust and Greed... No wonder we find ourselves in this pitiful situation. Our Greed knows no bound and our lust has no parallel. Please O God its unbearable.... the hunger misery and grief on the one hand this.... we have fallen as a Nation and became a laughing stock for the whole world maybe even Allah Almighty...
Repent .. before your lights go out!