Report on ex-MPs spending ordered

Detailed report sought on expenditure of funds allocated to 36 members of assembly during Musharraf’s rule.

GILGIT: Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed has sought a detailed report on the expenditure of funds allocated to each of the 36 members of the previous assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) during former president Pervez Musharraf’s rule.

The deputy speaker on Tuesday asked Local Bodies Minister Sheikh Aftab to submit a report on how each assembly member spent the Rs5 million allocated under a special presidential package for the region.

“You should inquire into it and submit a detailed report,” he told Aftab while chairing the session. PML-Q members were given Rs5 million for development schemes through local bodies in their respective areas.

On a point of order, opposition leader Bashir Ahmed took strong exception to the extension given to head clerk of the education department in Skardu, Kacho Fayaz, by Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on the pretext that it had been recommended by at least four lawmakers from Baltistan.

“I can prove that the man has put the education department in the doldrums, and giving an extension to him is tantamount to wrecking the department. I will resign if I am disproved,” said the opposition leader.

The chief minister had earlier said that giving extension to the person was not creating any hurdles in the promotion of others and that Fayaz had been recommended by at least four lawmakers.

Ahmed, who is the acting speaker in the absence of Wazir Baig, asked Education Minister Muhammad Ali Akhtar to investigate the issue and submit a report at the next session.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2010.