Alleged corruption: NAB launches probe into Rs32bn Education Dept project

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has launched a probe into alleged corruption in the Human Capital Investment Project under the provincial Education Department.

According to Geo News, the NAB has sent official letters to the secretaries of Education and Planning departments, seeking the submission of project-related documents and records.

The inquiry was initiated after the project’s former accounts officer wrote a letter to the Education secretary, highlighting alleged instances of corruption.

In his letter, the officer claimed that payments were made to contractors based on forged documents.

He alleged that payments were made by the deputy project director within 15 days of signing the contracts, and that contracts were awarded to substandard firms of their own choosing.

According to the NAB letter, inquiries were underway against the project director, procurement specialist, World Bank consultant and others.

The anti-corruption watchdog requested detailed briefings along with documentation about the Human Capital Investment Project.

Sources revealed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project was launched in 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs32 billion. The project was aimed to construct schools in flood-affected areas and 13 other districts. It included the establishment of approximately 900 schools, the construction of 900 classrooms, and the upgrading of 150 schools.