Watchdog seeks documents from govt to scrutinise the schemes.
The Punjab chief minister has ‘welcomed’ a probe by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into mega projects like Metro Bus and Ring Road following reports relating to alleged rule violation by the provincial government.
NAB has decided to launch an investigation and documents have been sought from the Punjab government, along with names of functionaries responsible for the award of contracts, confirmed NAB Punjab officials.
However, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he raised no objections when Transparency International Pakistan undertook a few provincial schemes for a similar kind of probe before NAB.
The Punjab government has claimed that the Metro Bus project is worth Rs30 billion. However government representatives claim the project cost Rs97 billion. The Lahore Ring Road was also a multibillion-rupee venture. NAB Chairman Admiral (Retd) Fasih Bokhari has ordered expeditious probe into the projects.
On February 28, the Punjab government and Transparency International Pakistan signed a MoU under which the watchdog would review the adherence to rules and the transparency of the Punjab government’s laptop scheme, Ujala programme and the Metro Bus project.
Zafar Iqbal, the NAB media handler, said the Metro Bus and Ring Road cases will be investigated at the NAB Headquarters, where most high-profile cases are dealt with.
NAB machinery
The NAB chairman, while addressing a ceremony in connection with the training of the newly inducted officers at COMSATS on Monday said that new probes will be dealt with speedily.
“New sub-offices have been created in different areas of the country to allow a branching out of the bureau’s powers for increased efficiency”, said the NAB chairman.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2013.
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I do believe that CM Punjab is sincere and has done a lot for Punjab. The fact that he welcomed the probe by NAB is proof of his honesty as well. Well done Shahbaz Sharif!