ISLAMABAD: The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) hired a consultancy firm for the Kishan Ganga project in violation of rules, causing a loss of Rs18 million to the national exchequer, Daily Times has learnt.
According to audit documents available with Daily Times, the company had given the contract in violation of rules. The process was declared illegal by audit authorities.
Sources said that NESPAK had also inducted eight officers against merit despite the ban on recruitment, which caused a loss of Rs10 million to the national exchequer. “Likewise, the services of an engineer were taken from WAPDA on deputation. Rs5 million was given to him from the national kitty,” sources said.
The sources said that the NESPAK administration had hired three law firms and paid them Rs5.2 million without the approval of the Ministry of Law.
“In addition to this, NESPAK also illegally appointed a legal adviser, who was paid Rs1 million. Moreover, the company hired the services of barrister for the hefty amount of $212,500, but he did nothing for the company,” sources said.
The department also appointed officers who had bogus degrees. “Rs15 million was paid to them. Even though their educational certificates proved counterfeit, they were not shown the door. The administration also procured five luxury vehicles for Rs20.8 million,” sources said.
Sources said that NESPAK principal engineer Dr Muhammad Masood Ahmed, who had been fired on medical grounds two years ago, was re-hired and paid Rs1.3 million.
They said that the company then appointed a person as electrical engineer for projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Libya, Iran and Yemen who had no work experience. “He was involved in stock exchange business. Whereas, a minimum of five years work experience was required for the job. He was recruited on the lame excuse that he may be helpful in getting contracts for NESPAK in USA,” sources said.
The firm also hired a chemical engineer on the post of civil engineer, an extreme breach of rules.
“NESPAK has also been held responsible for the delay in the construction of the new Islamabad international airport as the company paid Rs60.2 million to another firm for making the project design, which has yet to be completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has refused to grant any extension for the project. The authority has stated that NESPAK is deliberately delaying the project, which has raised the project’s budget by an additional Rs60 million,” sources said.