LAHORE: Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq relieved board’s secretary Junaid Ahmed of his duties on Tuesday and sent him on a 10-day leave for his alleged illegal plot deal.

Mr Farooq, according to a spokesman, also got the office of the secretary locked and entrusted the charge of the post to Additional Secretary Khalid Ali.

The department also launched an investigation to ascertain other irregularities allegedly committed by the official.

The spokesman said Mr Ahmad got allotted a plot at an ETPB housing scheme in Nankana Sahib illegally and then sold it, though it was non-transferable.

“Before taking action, the chairman sought plot’s original file from Mr Ahmed. The secretary first said he had sent it to the National Accountability Bureau chairman,” the spokesman said.

When he insisted on calling the NAB top boss, the secretary took the chairman to a room and produced the file and handed it over to his boss. The spokesman said Mr Ahmad was not performing any job in the board.

Mr Farooq told Dawn Mr Ahmad was a grade-19 official, who joined the department on deputation. He said action to relieve Mr Ahmad of the post was taken after consultation with ETPB’s legal team.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2015

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