PAC seeks report on irregularities in development projects

ISLAMABAD: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament on Tuesday sought a report from the Ministry of Housing and Works regarding the irregularities in projects under the peoples’ works programme (PWP).

Expressing concern over wrong assessment of projects and payments before their completion, the PAC directed Ministry of Housing to probe the matter through a third party and submit the report to the committee.

The PAC met under the chairmanship of Syed Khursheed Shah, and was attended by other members including Sheikh Rohail, Arshad Khan Lighari, Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Raja Javed Ikhlas, Sardar Ashiq Gopang, Syed Naveed Qamar, Shahida Akhter Ali, Dr Arif Alvi, senator Azam Sawati, Mian Abdul Manan, Perviaz Malik, Khalid Maqbool Sadiqui, Senator Tanveer Khan, and Dr Darshan.

The committee viewed the audit objections of the Ministry of Housing and Works during the meeting. The housing and works secretary was supposed to brief the participants regarding the Thalian Housing Scheme, however, Sardar Ashiq Gopang intervened and said the sub-committee under his supervision should first view the project, which was endorsed by the PAC chairman.

During discussion of audit objections 2013-14, the audit officials informed the body that the national exchequer faced a loss of Rs59.5 million due to tampering in biding of a highway construction project in Chakwal District.

Housing secretary Shahrukh Arbab said the officers involved in the scam were retired from service, while the Federal Investigation Agency had been directed to place their names in the Exit Control List.

PAC chairman directed to stop the pension of XEN Shah Jahan and account officer Shakil, and to start an investigation against them.

The audit officials informed the committee that the national exchequer had suffered a loss of Rs30.2 million due to the wrong assessment of various projects in Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Sukkur, Noshehra, Peshawar, and Lahore divisions. The payments were made only three to thirty days, they added.

The officials of PWD informed the PAC that the department was investigating the alleged irregularities. Dr Arif Alvi said payments within three days were a criminal act, while MNA Mian Abdul Manan suggested to constitute a sub-committee to visit the projects’ sites.

Secretary Shahrukh Arbab said the ministry had issued a charge sheet, and the investigation of the matter was in progress. Raja Javed Ikhlas said a heavy amount, ranging Rs5-7 billion rupees was embezzled in schemes under the PWP. The works on the projects in the said constituencies were stopped, but the payments were made, he added.

The housing secretary said the ministry was taking actions after investigating the matters. Syed Khursheed Shah said four years had passed but still delaying tactics were being used. The PAC directed for third party investigation regarding the irregularities in various schemes.