Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency FIA has revealed before the top court that a loss of approximately rupees 31.07 million has been caused to the public exchequer due to alleged corruption in procuring the nitrogen and oxygen gases from 2013 to 2016 for the Poly Clinic Hospital Islamabad.

The FIA further revealed that a loss of approximately rupees 4.05 million has been caused to the public exchequer in the purchase and supply of allied items including medicines.

The FIA on Tuesday submitted a preliminary report in the Supreme Court regarding the suo moto case over the alleged corruption in the supply of oxygen and nitrogen gas, and the theft of medicines from the said hospital.

The report stated that during the course of inquiry, the relevant records certified true copies of the questioned biding documents for the tender regarding the purchase of medical gases and allied items for the financial years 2013 to 2016 along with the details of the purchase of medical gases were sought from the account section of the Poly Clinic. It further stated that the record of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital was also requisitioned from the comparative analysis. Besides, the statements of three officials of the hospital, as well as the contractors were also recorded.

The FIA told the court that a case had been registered against nine persons under Section 409, 109 PPC. The accused persons are Chairman Purchase Committee Dr Zulkafil Sabir, Deputy Executive Director Dr Iftikhar Naru, Deputy Executive Director Dr Azmat Hamayun Khan, Executive Director Dr Zahid Hussain Dr Farukh Iqbal, Dr Fayyaz Ahmed Sheikh, Contractors Malik Rehmat and Rana Mehmood Ahmad.

The report stated that all the accused except Zahid Hussain had been arrested. Seven are on physical remand and one Dr Zulfiqar Sabir has been sent to the judicial lock-up on September 2. The FIA is making every possible effort to arrest Zahid Hussain. Regarding the issue of illegal appointments, the FIA told the court that the inquiry was in process, which would be finalised in due process after examining the relevant record of the concerned quarters.