ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: The government has constituted two commissions to complete disciplinary investigations against two senior officials allegedly involved in a scam relating to misappropriation of Rs1.27 billion in export promotion schemes.

The initial findings of a committee formed by the commerce ministry established the involvement of three senior officers of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) which led to suspension of the contract of its chief executive officer Abid Javed Akbar Ali in August.

The prime minister ordered disciplinary proceedings against the two officials — former TDAP secretary Abdul Kabir Kazi, a DMG officer who also worked as joint secretary administration in the commerce ministry; and former TDAP director general (facilitation) Abdul Karim Daudpota, an officer of the commerce and trade group.

Since the two officers are in grade 20, the prime minister has constituted two commissions headed by officers of grade 21 and 22.

The commission headed by Economic Affairs Division Secretary Nargis Sethi will investigate allegations against Mr Daudpota. She will be assisted by an inquiry officer and a department’s representative.

A source told Dawn that Ms Sethi had sought three senior officials from the commerce ministry, but her request had been turned down. Now the establishment division will provide the inquiry officer.

Soon after the disclosure of the scam, Mr Daudpota went into hiding.

The commission headed by member FBR (taxpayers audit) Haroon Mohammad Khan Tareen will investigate the allegations against Mr Kazi.

He will be assisted by grade-20 DMG officer Hammad Owais Agha. So a grade-20 officer will carry out the inquiry against the same grade officer from the same group.

Recently, the Federal Investigation Agency has arrested Tariq Puri who headed the TDAP from Oct 1, 2010, to July 7, 2012. His contract was terminated before due date after he developed differences with the former commerce minister.

Prime Minister Sharif had on Aug 6 referred the TDAP matter to the FIA with a directive to collect evidence and initiate criminal proceedings against officials, exporters and companies allegedly involved in it.

Mr Puri replaced Mohibullah Shah, a retired BS-22 officer, who had joined the TDAP in 2008. The first inquiry conducted by the commerce ministry found that senior TDAP officials had withdrawn Rs767.67 million on April 5 and it was disbursed in a single day.

The ministry constituted a three-member committee, headed by additional secretary Sajjad Ahmad, to investigate the disbursement made under three export incentive schemes in 2011 and 2012.

The committee, constituted on the order of the prime minister, is yet to complete its inquiry.

The finance division had released Rs1 billion in 2011 and Rs2bn in 2012 for the three schemes.