Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Two members of Public Accounts Committee Sardar Ashiq Gopang and Sahibzada Nazir Sultan are among the list of the politicians to have been given massive public funds by former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf by violating financial and monetary laws, it has been revealed in a report submitted to PAC to investigate the issue.

Ostensibly an honest man who is well versed with financial laws, Sardar Ashiq Khan Gopang, who is also chairman subcommittee of PAC, received Rs 39.43 million on the directive dated September12 2012, issued by then Prime Minister in the name of the development schemes in NA180 Muzargar Punjab.

Spiritual leader turned politician MNA Sahibzada Nazir Sultan elected as an independent candidate and has now joined ruling Pakistan Muslim League N also was gifted Rs 40 million by then PPP regime breaching prescribed financial laws and regulation. Sardar Ashiq Gopang hailed from southern Punjab, which is the most neglected area of the Punjab, handed over these huge public funds to the Ministry Of Works (Chief Engineer central zone) for the completion of the scheme, the report shows.

The report says that the development scheme was executed without vetting of the design, drawing authentication of the site plan, contour plan, longitudinal section, cross section and contract was awarded to the favoured contractor of the area. The report further added that during the execution of the scheme the top width and bottom width was altered and it was completed within three months which is not commensurate with the completion period.

Ashiq Gopand, who had also served as chairman Punjab Assembly public accounts committee looked the other way on the payment made to the contractor, violating several legal codes and financial discipline. The government document shows that payment was made to the contractor at a higher rate and Rs 13.85 million were misappropriated with the connivance of the government functionaries.

It is ironic that Ashiq Gopang is holding corrupt officers to account even though audit objections have also been raised on the development scheme executed on his direction. An inquiry could determine whether such huge public funds could be received on personal bonds or whether the competent authority has to follow the discipline rules while sanctioning the approval for such a funds transfer.

Sahibzada Nazir Sultan, a reticent member of PAC was also given Rs 40 million in the name of development of the area by then PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf who is now facing corruption charges in different courts of the country. The report shows that funds released on the name of Nazir Sultan from Jhang and scion of Bahu Sultan shrine was an illegal act and violation of financial discipline.