Committee formed to probe into Rs 200m scam

Author: Aftab Channa

KARACHI: Sindh Anti-Corruption Department has constituted a committee with a task to investigate the release of Rs 200 million to the employees of the education and literacy department by the Sindh accountant general on fake/bogus bills, it is learnt.

While taking strict notice of the news published by Daily Times, Anti-Corruption and Establishment Chairman Ghulam Qadir Thebo has constituted a committee headed by Enquiries Director Abdul Hadi Bullo.

The anti-corruption director contacted Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah on the issue, who also holds the additional charge of education and literacy secretary; however, the secretary excused and said that he would not interfere into the matter.

“The inquiry would be initiated after the return of Education Secretary Dr Fazalullah Pechuho from the United States”, the director said.

However, the officials of the anti-corruption department have been instructed to collect all the records from the Directorate of School Education, Karachi and Sindh accountant general’s office so that those responsible could be taken to task, Abdul Hadi Bullo added.

According to sources, officials of the Sindh Education Department with the connivance of Sindh accountant general had withdrawn Rs 200 million on fake and bogus bills.

The illegal activity was detected by former education director, Abdul Wahab Abbasi, who also reported the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), anti-corruption department, education and literacy secretary and the Sindh chief minister, however, no action was taken, sources said.

According to sources, more than 247 fake bills of Rs 200 million were cleared by the AG Sindh.

When contacted, Abdul Wahab Abbasi, former education director told Daily Times that he had highlighted Rs 200 million which were embezzled by the Sindh AG’s staff through fake/bogus bills.

The director said that he had forwarded letters to higher authorities to take stern action against embezzlement of such a huge amount; however, no one came forward to save the money of government.