PWD audit reveals funds released for nonexistent development schemes. PHOTO: FILE
Former premiers Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf using their discretionary powers had distributed over Rs12 billion on account of development schemes under the Peoples Works Programme (PWP-II) among non-elected representatives of communities instead of parliamentarians, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to an audit report ex-PM Ashraf had released around Rs52 billion under PWP-11 against the rules and guidelines of Planning Division.
He had approved Rs8.8 billion funds to unelected notables under the PWP-II during the last months of his tenure in addition to another Rs1.947billion released earlier, the report of Public Works Department (Pak PWD) revealed.
According to a report of the Director General (DG) Audit another whopping sum of Rs37.8 billion was distributed as development funds among the leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its coalition allies. Most of the notables who received the funds belonged to the constituencies of Gilani and Ashraf and their close relatives, the PWD report further revealed.
The report notes that several beneficiaries of the development funds did not exist. The report found more than 50% of the PWP-II development schemes bogus and non-existing during physical inspection conducted by the PWD in compliance of the Supreme Court orders in the suo motu case regarding spending billions of rupees from discretionary fund by former PM Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Yousaf Raza Gilani
The contents of the PWD report relating to PWD Central Zone Lahore available with The Express Tribune state that Rs68 million were released from PWP-II funds to two notables belonging to Sahiwal and Multan during fiscal year 2007-2008, an amount of Rs245.027 million was distributed among 12 notables during 2008-2009, an amount of Rs989.655 million to 57 notables during 2009-2010, around Rs353.358 to 22 notables during 2010-2011 and Rs1.304 billion were released to 80 notables during 2011-2012 by then PM Yousaf Raza Gilani under PWP-II for development schemes.
During the course of physical inspection it was found that about Rs7 billion have been embezzled by the notables, contractors and the officials of the Pak PWD because more than 50% schemes did not exist, sources familiar with the development told The Express Tribune.
A senior official of the Pak PWD said that Gilani had introduced this illegal practice of giving development funds to notables and party supporters instead of public representatives under PWP-II.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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@aaaaa: Great, one should have understood my comment. I am asking about the accountability. Changes names and policies don't work, who would ask the culpruts of previous government, who used such funds and put the whole country into darkness! Abolishing this fund is the first step towards the reconciliation by the current PML-N's with the previous government's culpruts.
I'm aghast at what these two guys have done to my beloved motherland, only ALLAH (SWT) wrath can save us from such people who are simply shameless and characterless.
@TH: In all honesty the two notoriously corrupt politicans (ex-priministers) must spit out the 12 billion of public fund. In order to recover the amount the court should attached all their family and personal assets in and outside the country that they may have built in their tenures.
@Aysha M: Also add the joke of the year, i.e., Memogate, to the list.
I think the statement is misleading. The money is not physically handed over to the notables, but the people can propose development projects, which are eventually executed by the bureaucracy. Of course, if reported correctly, it won't make headlines.
@aaaaa: They just changed the name. Money is still there and is being spent on the helicopter sports of the royal family of the Sharifs.
@Usman: Not sure if I can agree with SC part of your comment. Arsalan Iftikhar case has been a massive disappointment
A thorough investigation should be carried out and the report should be made public especially distributed free in his constituency.
@Usman: Usman Sahib you are correct it is in our blood.
@ezanius:
The PWP - 2 (PM's discreationary fund) program has been abolished by the PMLN in the recent budget. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Truly pathetic..Disgusting.. One wonders what these corrupt politicians will have to do in order to be punished. Money laundering, corruption, murders, public threats...wonder whats remaining after all this...
PML-N was the coalition partner in the previous government, for some years, but they were ruling Punjab and kept silent then. How could PML-N take any actions against their friends, as they intend to do the same. People will see, there would be no accountability at all.
@Aysha M: Lol, what integrity? Do we live in a society where integrity is admired? We laugh at a person if he's in power and does not commit daylight robbery like PM Ashraf and Gillani. Accept it, our culture promotes corruption and loot, only the SC is functioning (barely) in the country and so the country hasn't fallen to pieces yet.
Why do they all choose money over integrity?
Gilani Poverty Reduction Programme ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Why did he overlook me?
Recover these funds.Put people behind bars who have abused the trust