LHC moved against Punjab govt in Rs80 bn companies scam case
The petition was filed by advocate Azhar Siddiuqe.
LAHRORE (Dunya News)- A petition has been filed in Lahore High Court on Monday against Punjab government in Rs80 bn companies scam case.
The petition was filed by advocate Azhar Siddiuqe. The petitioner requested Punjab s top court to halt officials from working till the case is taken to its logical end. The petitioner also requested court to move anti-graft watchdog NAB against the scam.
It is pertinent here to mention that Dunya News Investigation Wing, on October-20 this year, has unearthed mammoth irregularities worth over Rs80 bn in financial matters of 56 companies formed by Punjab government.
As per details garnered, Punjab govt had constituted 56 companies under guise of good governance and registered them under Article-42 of Companies Ordinance 1984. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was inspired by the Turkish model and therefore summoned analysts from the same.
While deliberately turning a blind eye towards similar local companies operating in Pakistan, Sharif-led Punjab govt awarded dozens of contracts to Turkish conglomerates on hefty paybacks.
Before formation of these companies, 113970 employees were working in different departments across Punjab and the figure augmented to 157500 following arrival of Turkish corporations.
Rules were either disregarded or revoked while contracts were given on basis of sheer nepotism, thus inflicting hefty losses on provincial exchequer as Shehbaz Sharif issued mammoth Rs150 bn funds in this regard. Earlier, only six companies were formed but the amount soared to 56 in years to come.
What adds to the ambiguity of the matter is the fact that Punjab govt doesn’t audit the financial and administrational matters of these companies via Punjab Accountant General whereas audit reports of four companies were not made public. Likewise, administration and financial record of at least 38 companies is also missing.
65 officials appointed in these companies are withdrawing salary ranging from Rs3 lacs to Rs15 lacs per month. Waste management companies across Punjab achieved merely 25pc of set targets.
