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PESHAWAR: Setting new benchmark of ‘fiscal mismanagement’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a provincial minister has transferred a hefty amount of money from discretionary fund to his personal account for distribution among deserving players.
Talking to Dawn, sports minister Mehmood Khan, who also holds the portfolios of culture, tourism and museums, acknowledged that Rs1.8 million had been transferred from his discretionary fund as minister to his personnel account.
His argument was that it had happened due to lack of understanding on his part regarding the system but there was no bad intention behind transferring amount from official to personal account.
“We are new to the system so it should not be misinterpreted,” said Mehmood Khan, admitting that money from official account could not be transferred to private account.
The interesting aspect is the minister instead of giving cross cheques to players had distributed cash grant to them in different districts of the province.
Under the prescribed rules, officials said the minister or any other functionary could neither keep discretionary fund in personal account nor distribute cash money from it.
“This is absolutely illegal. Nobody including minister can keep money of the provincial exchequer in personal account or distribute cash among people,” said a senior government functionary dealing financial audit related affairs.
He said this was not minister’s job to distribute government funds in cash form. According to the procedure he said the concerned department or directorate would issue cross cheques in the names of the payees to be deposited in their personnel accounts.
“Neither auditor general nor public accounts committee of the assembly will approve such cases and even penalties had been imposed on many officials for depositing government money in their private accounts,” he said.
According to the official documents provincial directorate of sports issued two cross cheques worth Rs1,000,000 and Rs800,000 each in the name of minister Mehmood Khan in December 2013 and February 26, 2014. These cheques were deposited in the minister’s personal account in a commercial bank in Peshawar.
Acting Director General Sports Board Tariq Mehmood told Dawn that cross cheques had been released on the directives of the minister.
He said the sports directorate had asked for provision of proper receipt from the respective players and its furnishing to the said office before June 30 for audit.
Interestingly, Mehmood Khan is one of the ministers whose portfolios are likely to be changed as part of the cabinet reshuffle. There is a high livelihood of his getting the ‘lucrative’ irrigation minister.
Whether he would furnish receipts of the amount he disbursed is a big question mark.
It is also interesting to note that the minister distributed the entire amount of money within a short span of three months, since receiving the first tranche in late December.
Rs1 million was deposited in Mehmood Khan’s account in the Habib Bank Limited’s Civil Secretariat branch on December, 26, 2013 and the whole amount was withdrawn on December 31, 2013.
Another tranche of Rs800,000 was deposited on February 26, 2014 and the amount was withdrawn on February 28, 2014.
“The directorate has nothing to do with cheques whether they have been deposited in the minister’s private account or somewhere else,” he said, adding that he had asked for details of the recipients.
The officer’s claim flies in the face of longstanding official directives that official accounts could only be maintained in the Bank of Khyber.
The officer in question is a junior grade 17 officer, holding the acting charge of grade 19 director general (sports).
Minister Mehmood Khan said the amount had been distributed to players and that he had directed the relevant officials to collect particulars about the recipients and fill up performa. He said the record would be submitted to the directorate very soon.
Comments (11) Closed
What a lame piece of news by Mr. Ali; it is evident that the minister did not run away with any money, didn't give it to family and didn't give it to friends (political or otherwise). Apparently Mr. ALi's assigned task is to spend the whole day conjuring up stories aimed at defaming KP's government. He doesn't do half as good a job at NFP does. But that's not necessarily his fault. Writing sensational fiction is easier than finding sensational facts.
Its a good change though. From your personal account nobody will know where the money went :) . Keep up the good trend Ilzam Khan and Team
Why should his portfolio be changed to irrigation? Such corrupt ministers should not be given any portfolio at all. Wasn't Forward bloc in KPK formed to protest such practice? This visionless minister had a long list of allegations against him: Appointing a Director Archaeology illegally, out of merit, from his own constituency. Travel abroad Germany last month and wastage of public money. Receiving kitchen money and other financial misconduct
Dear All, Mehmood admitted that he was not aware of the rules so this is not an excuse.. he should be punished and train as well to avoid future incidents.... the fiance guy need to be hanged, mean punished more than Mr.Mehmood as he is the expert of finical procedure.....
This is good that we PTI member, Anti PTI members and media has closed eye on the activities of KPK govt.... i wish all these should keep their eye for betterment of KPK and Pakistan not for their personal benefits....
Regards Jehanzeb
Tabdeli a gyi hy .naya kpk.
@Awais: "From your personal account nobody will know where the money went..."
But one can ask where and how the money deposited in your personal account?
Even a 10 year will kid will know when you write a check on your own name then you are trying to use that amount personally and this MPA has no clue. So Naya Pakistan Zindabad, corruption zindabad, PTI zindabad.
@Shahid: transferring fund to own account is crime...period no excuse
@Voice of Youth: There are no bars on screaming. KPK Government is trying their best to bring change. Bringing change means putting foot on the tail of opponents and the result will be only screaming. I am voter of PTI and I am satisfied whenever i compare them with their predecessors. Mahmood Khan may commit mistake but can,t do corruption of even single penny. He clearly admitted that i did mistake and Thieves are not such morally strong to admit their mistake. You said that he wasted money during his visit to Berlin. For your information, it is stated that KPTC is participating in this world lagest travel trade show since 1995. This time KPTC spent only 2M while their predecessors spent 3M. Your this allegation is also baseless that he Director of Archeology belong to his constituency. He was appointed on the merit because he is senior most person in the department. Also If you have proof about other allegations then come here to discuss. I am ready to respond to your baseless allegations as PTI Supporter.
Banks had signed to protect the Customers Information , on any basis . How come this newspaper got this storyy. Amazed!!!!
can you read a) where it is required by law, Court Order or is otherwise legally permitted; (b) where such disclosure is required under Order of Court, legislation or regulations to be divulged to any government agency, agencies or bodies established or approved by Bank. (c) where requested or permitted by the Customer in writing.