Corruption: ICT official’s ‘ill-gotten’ wealth under scanner

Aasi accused of amassing billions through illegal means.

ISLAMABAD:

The interior ministry on Monday launched an inquiry against an official of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) over allegations of amassing assets worth billions illegally.

On the direction of Interior Minister Rehman Malik, an inquiry has been initiated against Executive Engineer (XEN) ICT Saifullah Aasi, who among other things, has recently purchased over 800 kanals of land in different part of the city.

A source close to the development said Aasi, an “influential grade-17 officer of ICT”, is involved in many corruption cases. In response to multiples applications filed against him Interior Minister has constituted a two-member committee comprising Joint Secretary Interior Ministry Mumtaz Ali and Rana Akbar Hayat Director Development ICT to initiate inquiry against him, he added. The committee has sent a letter asking him to explain the corruption charges within one week.



Earlier this year on August 28, Aasi faced similar allegations of inducting 50 daily wage employees in local government after getting them to pay a bribe of Rs 200,000 each. In the whole episode, local government department Admin Officer Mansoorul Haq and clerical staffer Muhammad Shabbir were also found involved along with lower clerical staff in the forging of signatures.

According to the sources, Aasi has acquired billions of rupees worth of property amounting to over 800 kanals in different rural areas including Bara Kahu and Mera Begwal.

“An inquiry has been initiated against him after we received many complaints against him and committee will determine how he has become an owner of around 800 kanals of land,” another official said.

Moreover, during the tenure of former President Pervez Musharraf, Aasi faced charges of embezzling Rs8 billion from Islamabad Development Package when he was holding an additional charge of District Disbursing Officer (DDO) in local government.

When approached, Saifullah Aasi admitted that he had purchased over 800 kanals of lands in different parts of the city on his wife’s name. He claimed there was nothing illegal in purchasing land.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.