FAISALABAD, June 17: The audit officer, who detected massive financial and administrative irregularities in the affairs of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (city), has been transferred.

The resident assistant director of the local fund audit of the TMA, Mujeeb Zaman Shamsi, has been directed to relinquish charge and report to the Punjab Finance Department with immediate effect.

The order has been issued ‘in public interest’ by the finance department secretary.

Mr Shamsi had pointed out, in his audit report for the period of July 1, 2002, to Dec 31, 2002, serious irregularities in accounts, preparation of budget, advances to employees, utilization of funds in different accounts, besides complete mess and financial anarchy in almost all branches of the TMA.

He had also asked the local government authorities and other functionaries concerned to put a complete check on irregularities and launch clean-up operation for streamlining the TMA affairs.

Sources said City Nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema took serious note of the audit report and approached the finance secretary for the immediate transfer of the audit officer.

“The finance department, instead of initiating action against the TMA functionaries concerned, transferred the resident assistant director to please the City Nazim and to save the senior officials involved in the plunder,” insiders said.

Meanwhile, TMA opposition leader Muhammad Ashraf has lamented the action of the finance department.

Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, he said the transfer of the audit officer would encourage the corrupt mafia in the TMA and set a bad precedent.