Daily Times

KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh has indicated various irregularities, including corruption and violations of Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SSPRA) rules, in universities’ department.

According to details, NAB, on Thursday, issued an advisory under Section 33-C of National Accountability Ordinance 1999, on various irregularities prevalent in different universities of Sindh along with the recommendations formulated in a concise document.

The advisory was addressed to the principal secretary to the Sindh governor and also sent to the government of Sindh through universities secretary and boards for dissemination and implementation. The NAB law, under the provisions of section 33-C, authorises NAB to advise public authorities on measures to combat corruption and corrupt practices as well as to recommend amendments in laws, rules and regulations for elimination of corruption.

The advisory followed an inquiry conducted by NAB on the allegations of various malpractices and irregularities prevalent in University of Karachi. The inquiry concluded by finding aberrations and breaches of rules and regulations on a range of administrative and financial matters.

The financial irregularities included: payment of leave encashment granted to all the employees whereas only retiring employees are entitled to it; payments of overtime to senior officers; non budgetary expenditures; account handling of provident fund; procurements without observing SPPRA rules; and weak internal audit & financial controls mechanisms.

Besides that, the document also advised the university authorities for better management of its assets, in order to fetch the highest revenues for the institution.

NAB formulated recommendations on appointments as well. The document highlighted the irregularities in appointments of university employees which included: appointment without advertising vacancies and selection after by passing the competitive process; over-recruitment beyond the sanctioned posts; award of higher grades; and non adherence to HEC requirements. The university authorities were also advised to comply with the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan, contained in various reported judgments pronounced on the matters of appointments.

It was also advised that the universities may streamline their rules and regulations in consonance with the government rules and Supreme Court directions. The advisory document required that NAB be apprised of the implementation of recommendations, in due course.

Published in Daily Times, October 13^th 2017.