ISLAMABAD: Scam of receiving commission from the contractors in advance has touched new heights from contractors for awarding contract of three mega projects of Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) worth Rs 13 billion has come on surface. PHA has also accorded approval for constructing multi-storey residential building on the plot allocated for a mosque and park in sector G-11 and work on this project has been started despite the stay order from the court. A written complaint from the contractors has been sent to Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) stating that PHA is going to launch a housing project in sector I-12 at the cost of Rs 9 billion and it has been said publicly by Managing Director (MD) Muhammad Ilyas that contract will be awarded to the contractor who pays commission ranging between 3 to 4 percent in advance. Likewise PHA is also launching a housing project in Kurri at the cost of about Rs 4 billion and the contractors are being asked to pay commission from 3 to 4 percent in advance. PHA has also started project of construction of multi-storey residential building at the cost of millions of rupees in sector G-11 on the plot which was allocated for mosque and park. The citizens had obtained stay order from the court against this sheer violation by PHA. But MD PHA has got started work on this project arbitrarily. The application further said that MD Muhammad Ilyas hails from Lahore and he proceeds to Lahore on every Thursday. He pockets Rs 35,000 on account of TA/DA every week by declaring his visit to Lahore as official visit. Contractors have appealed the Chairman NAB to hold fair and transparent investigation into the matter before they are deprived of every penny by the MD PHA in his pursuit of lust for money minting. When contacted MD PHA Muhammad Ilyas toldDaily Times that people are habitual of sending applications, adding that the allegations leveled against him for obtaining commission is concocted and baseless. No one has such enormous amount that one pays commission without being awarded contract. As far as the sector G-11 project is concerned the court’s stay order is there and court had directed that mosque and park be not touched, he said, adding that the PHA have kept aside the land allotted for mosque and park. “This impression is wrong that we have violated court’s orders”, he said. When asked about payment of TA/DA he said, “it is true I visit Lahore every week. But I pay for my personal visit out of my own pocket while I am entitled to TA/DA against any official visit undertaken by me”. NAB has recently concluded investigation against former MD PHA Ghulam Rasool Phalphoto and director Ajmal Saeed in illegal appointment matter and framed reference against them. Now a new application has been sent to NAB seeking investigation against the sitting MD of PHA. When contacted NAB spokesman said that this application will be at initial stage because applications are received in the name of chairman NAB daily and these are marked to different inquiry officers for inquiry.