ISLAMABAD (PEN) : In a startling revelation, billions of rupees in irregularities have been uncovered in the auction of commercial plots in Islamabad.
The audit report has brought to light serious issues with the auction process, showing a staggering loss of Rs. 37 billion 82 crore to the national treasury. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had put 29 commercial plots up for auction, selling 23 of them for a total of Rs. 37 billion 82 crore. However, the auction of five plots was postponed due to a lack of bids, and another plot’s auction was halted due to legal issues.
The audit revealed significant problems, including a lack of backup records for plot prices and auction proceedings, no market trend analysis for land prices, and no documentation for the five postponed plots. Additionally, there were issues with the financial controls: pay orders from bidders were not deposited in banks, and there was no verification of these pay orders, raising concerns about their authenticity. These deficiencies in financial management have led to billions in irregularities.
The audit authorities have called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those involved. The CDA has yet to respond to these serious allegations.
Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Circle completed an investigation into 14 government employees, revealing that their assets far exceeded their declared income. This investigation led to the seizure of assets held in their names and those of their families. The cases were forwarded to the Anti-Money Laundering Cell, which has filed charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act against the implicated officers.
Among those accused are ETO Hilal Ahmed, former CDA Member State Afnan Alam, Ahmar Ali Qureshi, Parvez Akhtar, Firast Ali, and Safdar Mahmood. Kaleem Akhtar and Mohammad Iftikhar are also facing anti-corruption charges. The accused are alleged to have been involved in the sale of government land, allocation of numbers to non-custom vehicles, and violations of development plans.
