Govt itself responsible for corruption: SC

Asks if govt employees want to stay in offices or Adiala Jail

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday observed that the government itself was responsible for corruption and asked the government employees if they wanted to stay in their offices or in the Adiala Jail.  

The SC asked why the funds of the Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) had not been transferred to the provinces and sought the financial record and summoned the advocate generals of all provinces and the prosecutor general National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the next date of hearing. 

A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, heard a suo moto case pertaining to the corruption scandal in EOBI. During the course of hearing, Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the government was responsible for corruption of billions of rupees in EOBI. He said that the 18th Amendment was passed six years ago to transfer the powers to the provinces but still the EOBI funds had not been transferred to the provinces, which gave the impression that the government did not like to follow the Constitution.

Justice Maqbool Baqir, another member of the bench, observed that a man worked for 35 years and the EOBI gave him Rs5,000 a month. He said that the EOBI was robbing the people. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed noted that the EOBI properties were sold at throwaway prices. “What is the fault of the pensioners who deposit some amount from the salaries in the government departments,” Justice Azmat questioned.

Deputy Attorney Sohail Mahmood however, apprised the court that the file pertaining to transfer the EOBI funds to the provinces was being sent to the prime minister for approval. Justice Azmat said if the issue was not resolved, they would pass order to stop funds of Ministry of Finance. He said that they could also question where the government was spending these funds. Justice Baqir said they could also ask about the amount being spent on Parliament. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until May 11.