Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Sub Committee of the Public Accounts Committee raised questions on the purchase of land for Bara Kahu Housing Scheme at exorbitant rates and has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to conduct an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement and irregularities during the process of purchase of land and submit a detailed report by April 2, 2017.

A sub-committee of the Public Accounts committee discussed in detail the alleged irregularities in the process of procurement of land for phase (I) and phase (II) of the Bara Kahu housing scheme of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF).

Senator Azam Khan Sawati informed the Sub-Committee that 20 thousand kanals of land has been purchased at exorbitant rates while the actual price of the land in that area was not more than three to four lakh. The federal government employees were charged four lakh rupees per kanal. Officials of the FGEHF informed that the ministry had proposed eight lakh rupees per kanal, however, the FGEHF did not agree to it and four lakh per kanal was fixed.

Regarding phase (II), the minister had given a statement in the senate that process was being initiated for the procurement of 20 thousand kanals of land at a price of eight lakh per kanal. Previously the land was purchased at Rs. 950000/- and the land for phase (II) is being purchased at eight lakh rupees.

Senator Azam Khan Sawati at that time had raised it through a supplementary question that the price of land was not more than three to four hundred thousand rupees and the reply of the FGEHF had endorsed the stance adopted by Senator Azam Sawati. The Sub Committee appreciated the efforts of Senator Azam Sawati and observed that nearly 8 billion rupees had been saved and the federal government employees would get relief.

It is pertinent to mention here that in reply to a question asked by Senator Ahmed Hassan in the senate it was informed that 3200 kanals of land in phase (I) was purchased in 2009 at the cost of Rs. 950000 per kanal.

The Auditor General also agreed with the views of Senator Azam Sawati and said that the land for phase (I) was also purchased at exorbitant rates. The actual price of land, the Auditor General said, in phase (I) was one hundred thousand rupees at that time.

The Sub Committee expressed it astonishment over the process of purchase of land and directed the NAB to look into the matter and submit a detailed report by 2nd April, 2017.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Shahida Akhtar Ali and Dr. Arif Alvi besides senior officials of the ministry, the Auditor General and attached departments.