PAC body orders re-investigation into theft of antiques  

ISLAMABAD: The sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday ordered re-investigation of theft of 61 precious historical antiques and historical gold coins worth millions of rupees from the museums of Karachi and Taxila and directed foolproof security for all the museums of the country.

The sub committee also expressed its annoyance over the lack of interest by police in the investigation of theft antiques including gold coins from different museums of the country and directed to write letters to chief minister Punjab, attorney general and IG Police for re-investigation of the whole case.

The sub committee of the PAC on implementation and monitoring was held with the chair of Convener Rana Afzaal Hussain in which the audit paras relating to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage for the years from 1999 to 2008-09 were examined.

The audit officials told the sub-committee that 61 precious antiques and gold coins were stolen from the Museums of Karachi and Taxila which were still not recovered.

The sub committee angrily observed: “Non investigation of these thefts is a criminal negligence.”  Member of the PAC Mehmood Khan Achackzai observed that the stolen antiques were sold to international museums.

The officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told the sub-committee that the attitude of police was apathetic and disinterested. Sub-ordinate courts closed the case on basis of lack of evidence after 10-years but now the appeal has been filed in the High Court.

The sub committee directed that a letter be addressed to the attorney general for early hearing of the case. PAC Member Mian Abdul Mannan observed that a new FIR should be registered in this case and those who were involved in it should be taken to task.

To the query of the committee, the administration of museums replied that the security of the museums is handed over to police in the evening. The officials of Lok Virsa told the committee that these thefts occurred during the tenure of employee of the department Amanullah. The committee summoned Amanullah in its next meeting.

Achackzai remarked that that the historical statue of Buddha from Lahore was very rare and invaluable.

The Department of Archaeology and Museums informed that in surrounding areas of Jehangir Tomb, Innayat Garden, Engineering University Lahore, Mahabat Khan Tomb, Zaibil-Nisa Tomb, Tomb of Nawab Bahadur Khan, Tomb of French officer, Choburji Chowk and residence of Allama Iqbal was being illegally occupied.

The officials of the Punjab Government told the committee that the chief minister Punjab was already informed about the situation and on his direction the Punjab government has got vacated the illegally occupied lands.