LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has sent a reference to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) against its driver for allegedly receiving money from restaurants.

The ACE has also launched a probe into the reference sent by PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal in the light of a report submitted to him by the special branch police, Dawn has learnt.

Official sources say the PFA has launched a separate departmental inquiry into the malpractices allegedly committed by driver Muhammad Ashraf, who used to perform duty with former director general, director (operations) and some deputy directors.

“Ashraf attended the office till Friday. But on Saturday, he didn’t come after he probably came to know about the ACE investigations and an inquiry by the PFA,” Mr Mengal told Dawn.

The special branch police had started looking into the affairs of the driver after the PFA wrote a letter to it.

“We have come to know that driver Ashraf is allegedly involved in corrupt practices. He has made assets after minting money in the name of officers. His assets include a house worth Rs3 million,” the report quotes the PFA DG’s letter written to the special branch police.

The police report says Ashraf of Mauza Roray (Pattoki, Kasur district) had joined the PFA as driver in 2011.

“Village lumberdar Malik Khadim and Hashim Rana Advocate told the police team that Ashraf had no other source of income except the job of driver. About one and a half years back, he got constructed his 5/6 marla house worth Rs3m in the village. He off and on keeps official vehicle for his personal use,” reads the report.

It says the suspect also allegedly owns a Suzuki Cultus and Bolan and rents out the vehicles and his lifestyle is incommensurate with his means (Rs25,000 salary).

Besides this, an inquiry against the driver and a watchman is also under way for allegedly selling powder milk seized by the PFA some time back.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2017