Unwanted distinction: IIUI becomes first varsity to be probed by NAB

The watchdog was prompted to investigate after allegations of irregularities.

ISLAMABAD:

International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) became the first higher education institution of the country to be investigated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), after a team led by a deputy director raided the varsity premises last week.

The team seized records of the past 20 years from the transport department to probe alleged misappropriation of funds and fuel.

“We have launched an inquiry after approval from the NAB Executive Board Meeting (EBM),” said a senior NAB official, who requested anonymity.

The official added that NAB initiates an inquiry after the EBM gives final approval upon thoroughly reviewing the allegations. The NAB team also questioned IIUI officials including acting President Sahibzada Sajidur Rehman about the irregularities last Friday.

The official said they had received information about organised corruption in the transport department. There was corruption in fuel consumption, purchase of buses and repairs of vehicles. The varisty has one of the largest transport fleets and millions of rupees in funds are channelled to the transport department every month. The monthly bill for fuel comes to Rs10 million a month.

An IIUI official said the university’s fuel consumption was so high it could establish its own petrol pump to check corruption and make fuel consumption more transparent, but some officials in the transport and finance departments were opposed to streamlining the system.

Even though HEC disburses funds to universities, it has no mechanism to ensure transparency. HEC Human Resources Development Adviser Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi said they only monitor funds for projects as universities are autonomous bodies and they are audited by either federal or provincial audit departments.

In case of allegations of irregularities, we write to the head of the institute for a clarification and the matter is investigated by the university’s syndicate along with a representative from the HEC, he stated.

“If  the head of the institute is unable to give a satisfactory response, we write to the chancellor,” Qureshi added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2012.