Corruption charges: Presidential reference against AGP put on ice
Two bureaucrats give cover to Akhtar Buland Rana, despite strong evidence against him.
Constitutionally, the AGP can only be removed in a manner prescribed for the removal of a Supreme Court judge. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
A reference forwarded by the president to the prime minister’s office against the Auditor General of Pakistan remains pending for a year.
Before taking Akhtar Buland Rana’s oath, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had sought clarifications from the president as a string of allegations were levelled against the Auditor General of Pakistan.
Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) reportedly accused Rana of sexual harassment. He has also been blamed for corruption, against which the Minister of State for Information, Syed Samsam Bukhari, filed a reference that was supported by irrefutable documentary evidence.
On July 19, 2012, the President Secretariat forwarded a reference to former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf through his Principal Secretary Muhammad Ayub Qazi, official documents reveal. The reference remains buried to this day, courtesy two bureaucrats who have provided complete protection to Rana.
“There has been no movement on the case,” said Prime Minister’s Spokesman Shafqat Jalil. In reality, the file is untraceable.
According to sources, Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Jilani, who was serving as Joint Secretary in PM Public Secretariat, blocked any further action on the reference. Jilani, a close relative of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, currently serves as the chief accounts officer in the foreign affairs ministry.
Constitutionally, the AGP can only be removed in a manner prescribed for the removal of a Supreme Court judge through the Supreme Judicial Council.
Allegations against Rana
Rana allegedly secured multiple passports illegally, including a Canadian passport and has travelled abroad many times without permission of the competent authorities.
According to a letter of Director General ISI, which is enclosed with the reference, Rana used three Pakistani and one Canadian passport and two CNICs for travelling abroad from April 2004 to December 2009. Out of fifteen entries five were on the Canadian passport.
He also obtained Canadian nationality without informing the department or obtaining NoC from the government.
Rana was also accused of sexually harassing a female colleague. Recently, the AGP was caught withdrawing a monthly car allowance of Rs118,000 besides availing other benefits.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.
A reference forwarded by the president to the prime minister’s office against the Auditor General of Pakistan remains pending for a year.
Before taking Akhtar Buland Rana’s oath, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had sought clarifications from the president as a string of allegations were levelled against the Auditor General of Pakistan.
Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) reportedly accused Rana of sexual harassment. He has also been blamed for corruption, against which the Minister of State for Information, Syed Samsam Bukhari, filed a reference that was supported by irrefutable documentary evidence.
On July 19, 2012, the President Secretariat forwarded a reference to former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf through his Principal Secretary Muhammad Ayub Qazi, official documents reveal. The reference remains buried to this day, courtesy two bureaucrats who have provided complete protection to Rana.
“There has been no movement on the case,” said Prime Minister’s Spokesman Shafqat Jalil. In reality, the file is untraceable.
According to sources, Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Jilani, who was serving as Joint Secretary in PM Public Secretariat, blocked any further action on the reference. Jilani, a close relative of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, currently serves as the chief accounts officer in the foreign affairs ministry.
Constitutionally, the AGP can only be removed in a manner prescribed for the removal of a Supreme Court judge through the Supreme Judicial Council.
Allegations against Rana
Rana allegedly secured multiple passports illegally, including a Canadian passport and has travelled abroad many times without permission of the competent authorities.
According to a letter of Director General ISI, which is enclosed with the reference, Rana used three Pakistani and one Canadian passport and two CNICs for travelling abroad from April 2004 to December 2009. Out of fifteen entries five were on the Canadian passport.
He also obtained Canadian nationality without informing the department or obtaining NoC from the government.
Rana was also accused of sexually harassing a female colleague. Recently, the AGP was caught withdrawing a monthly car allowance of Rs118,000 besides availing other benefits.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.