Daily Times

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah taking strict action over no retrieval of missing and unauthorized government vehicles issued by 34 different government departments has issued clear directions for their recovery and lodging FIRs against those responsible for negligence.

According to missing list available with Daily Times, 22 Toyota Corolla’s, 4 Suzuki Cultus, one Land Cruiser, one Honda Accord and several others remain un-recovered.

It is also pertinent to mention here that the former Chief Minister Inspection Team (CMIT) Coordinator had aggressively unveiled about 600 hundred missing and unauthorized vehicles in 2014.

However, former CMIT Coordinator Haji Muzafar Shujrah and former Chief Minister had stopped further enquiry into the missing and unauthorized vehicles after shocking revelations.

Irony of the matter is that Muzafar Shujrah himself after resignation of the Chief Minster occupied government Land Cruiser among 30 other Ministers, Advisors, Assistants to CM S&GD, the details said.

According to Services General Administration and Coordination Transport Department, 90 government vehicles have also been retrieved out of over 150 unauthorized vehicles, while 66 vehicles still remain un-recovered.

Sources told Daily Times that there was heavy corruption and misuse of billions of rupees in terms of fuel charges issued to the Ministers, Advisors and other retired officials. They said former CMIT Coordinator to CM receives 1000 liters per month, while the Ministers 800 liters POL and Advisors 600 liters.

The Transparency International Pakistan had written a letter on April 2015 about 600 missing or unauthorized vehicles of 38 departments of Sindh government and requested the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for their recovery, however, former Chief Minister Sindh had taken notice of the issue for investigation and committee was formed for further probe over the vehicles but no further investigations were carried out by the former CMIT and other officials.

When contacted Secretary General Administration (GA) Sajid Jamal Abro and Budget head Deputy Secretary Saeed Ahmed they told Daily Times that they have retrieved a large number of vehicles and developed a mechanism after taking charge.

While, Farooq Shaikh, the Transport in charge of General Administration, said that they have written several letters to the concerned departments and higher authorities for the recovery of vehicles since long.

He said after taking charge he saved Rs. 2 billion of Sindh government regarding POL and other related charges.

“We have now developed an inventory mechanism to find out missing and unauthorized government vehicles,” he added.