FIA launches probe into Nawabshah university scam

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started the inquiry of a fraud of millions of rupees allegedly done by officials of Quaid-e-Awam Engineering University, Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazir Abad).

Sources informed The News that university management was aware of the matter since last five years but till date no serious step was taken to stop this fraud. According to an official letter of FIA Deputy Director (Sukkur), the agency has been appointed an inquiry officer in the matter. 

President of university workers’ welfare body, Haji Allhawarayo Chandio, in his written application along with documentary evidences, copies of which are available with The News, requested FIA authorities for impartial investigation regarding the alleged fraud.

In his application, Chandio submitted that some of officials of University’s Examination Branch with the collaboration of each other by making a fake seal of bank embezzled millions of rupees, deposited by students in the head of admissions and enrolments from last many years.

Earlier, instead of referring matter to proper Investigation agencies like National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or Federal Investigation Agency (FIA); university management constituted a one-member inquiry committee compromised of Professor Abdul Nasir Laghari but till date his inquiry could not be completed due to non-cooperation of university’s Finance Department and concerned bank branch authorities.

Talking to The News, Prof Laghari said that he provided the computerised record of eight years to bank for verification but till date the bank management did not cooperate with university management.

Manager of the bank Dur Muhammad Chandio said he was unaware about any kind of fraud and involvement of any Bank official. He added that whenever university management asked for any record, it was provided immediately and bank staff never made any attempt to mislead them.

Haji Allahwarayo Chandio told The News that he has pointed out many matters of frauds in university before the management including this matter but management was reluctant to investigate these issues and then he consulted the FIA for investigation. He hope that FIA would inquire the matter impartially.

Spokesman of Shah Latif Engineering University Atta Chandio told the vice chancellor had constituted an inquiry committee and some officials of Examination Branch and some officials of the bank were found involved in said fraud but Bank management did not cooperate with University and did not submit the verification report of deposited money. However after the finalisation of report, strict action would be taken against the responsible persons.

Chandio concluded that University management will cooperate fully with the FIA team for its inquiry in this matter.