Over Rs12b corruption detected in 6 housing societies

ISLAMABAD: More than Rs12 billion corruption has been detected during the audit of six housing societies in Islamabad, said Cooperating Housing Societies Islamabad Registrar Muhammad Ali, here on Friday. Giving briefing to a meeting of Senate Sub-Committee for Cabinet Secretariat, he said financial corruption amounting to Rs7.5 billion was detected in Federal Employees Cooperative Society, Rs2.56 billion in Sohan Garden Housing Society, Rs1.7 billion in Jammu & Kashmir Society, Rs320 million in Senate Cooperative Housing Society, Rs670 million in OGDL Society and Rs20 million in Garden Cooperative Society. Convener Committee Senator Kulsoom Parveen told the registrar that those facing corruption charges should not be allowed to contest the housing societies’ elections. The meeting was held at Parliament House with committee convener in the chair. The meeting discussed in detail proposed amendments to the CDA Rules for effectively regulating the Islamabad housing societies, the changes made in the rules in consultation with the Islamabad administration, and the public memorandum presented by Senator Hidaitullah about affairs of the Intelligence Bureau Housing Society. Senator Hidaitullah told the Senate Sub-Committee that the Intelligence Bureau had established the housing society in Gulberg. The main task of the Intelligence Bureau is to rid people of terrorism and prove the public security. But the society established by the Bureau had become a hub of corruption lately. He said dues are being charged from people without issuing any notices. He said people were not being given possession of their plots, though they had paid full payments in 2013. Even they are being charged extra amounts in the name of dues, he said. However, the societies registrar, Muhammad Ali, said if any person has any complaint against any housing society, he/she should submit an application, and the issue would be resolved in 60 days.

Committee Convener Senator Kulsoom Parveen said the Islamabad administration had not provided the information sought from it. She said all required information should be provided to the committee during the next meeting. She said no department would be allowed to do anything illegal and unconstitutional. She directed the Intelligence Bureau Society to give briefing to the committee during the next meeting.