GILGIT, July 11: The vice-chairman of the Ghizer District Council has alleged that the council chairman and a local government official have embezzled Rs7.2 million during the fiscal year 2004-05. Addressing a press conference, the vice-chairman, Nadeem Ayub, accused District Council Chairman Dr Ali Madad Sher and Assistant Director Local Government and Rural Development department Mohammad Ameen of embezzling over Rs7.2m over different pretexts.

Elaborating, Mr Ayub alleged that the chairman and the official drew Rs1.8 million from the annual development fund in the name of employees, Rs1.4 million from grant-in-aid, Rs0.4 million from emergency fund, Rs1.6 million from special grant and Rs0.75 million from buildings head by submitting bogus bills to the local AGPR.

They drew Rs0.5 million in the name of maintenance and fuel of a vehicle (GLT-3403) in two months and Rs0.5 million in the name of sports though no sporting activity was held in the year, he added.

Mr Ayub said that he was going to file a reference in the local court against the corruption and called upon the councillors to dislodge the chairman.