EOBI scam: SC orders to freeze DHA accounts in twin cities
The apex court ordered FIA to register case against those responsible in the scandal.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday ordered authorities to freeze Defence Housing Authority’s accounts in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a suo motu case regarding alleged misappropriation of Rs40 billion in the Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI).
During case hearing, the apex court sought details of DHA accounts and ordered Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest those responsible in the scam.
FIA Additional Director General (Legal) Azam Khan told court that DHA issued allotment letter of 321 canal land and in return EOBI paid Rs15 billion.
So far, No application has been received to register the case, he added.
Counsel of Defense Housing Authority Ahmer Bilal Sufi sought time from the apex court to submit reply. The counsel also informed the court that DHA paid 11 billion rupees to Bahria Town.
The court objected that how a government institution can hold a partnership with a private entity.
On Saturday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took suo motu notice of alleged corruption of Rs 40 billion in the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).
The CJP took notice on a note from the Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan. The note contained the details of a TV programme televised on June 27, 2013 revealing the corruption scandal of more than Rs 40 billion in the EOBI.
The note further stated: "The programme alleged multibillion rupees corruption in EOBI in the last three years and that Zafar Iqbal Gondal, Chairman, DG, Investment and DG, HR etc are involved in the scam - Reportedly, they have invested billion of rupees in the private sector, contrary to rules and without the approval of Board of Trustees, and thus plundered more than Rs 40 billions.”
