Bribery charges: Inquiry opens against NHA project director

Contractor says the official also demanded half of the cost of another project as bribe.

LAHORE:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened a probe against the National Highway Authority’s project director for afforestation on charges of accepting Rs6.7 million in bribes from a contractor for approving his bills worth Rs45 million, The Express Tribune has learnt.

According to FIA sources, contractor Javed Kaleem was given contracts worth Rs45 million on account of tree plantation along both sides of the road controlled by the highway authority in Sadiqabad area at Rs400 per plant. The same contractor was also awarded another contract worth Rs55 million for planting trees along both sides of the road controlled by NHA in Hyderabad.

According to the allegations levelled against NHA Project Director (Afforestation), Malik Mansoor allegedly approved bills worth Rs45 million upon receiving Rs6.7 million in bribes.

The contractor claimed that after receiving the massive sum, and approving the bill of one contract, Mansoor demanded 50 per cent of the approved cost in bribes for passing the bills of Rs55 million contracts. On refusing, the said officer cancelled his contract, he added.

The FIA anti-corruption circle, after registering a formal enquiry, has summoned Mansoor along with relevant record. The FIA also asked the contractor Javed Kaleem to appear before the enquiry officer on July 11.

The FIA Punjab Director Dr Usman Anwar while talking to The Express Tribune said a formal inquiry has been initiated against Mansoor, after which he was asked to appear before an inquiry team on July 11.

Mansoor, however, failed to do so, citing some personal reason. The inquiry team has now asked Mansoor and the contractor Kaleem to appear on July 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2014.