KARACHI, Dec 12: The Sindh High Court has appointed a three-member committee to run the day-to-day affairs of Young Men’s Christian Association, ordered audit of its accounts and directed the provincial anti-corruption director to carry out a probe into its financial affairs.

A division bench passed a detailed order to streamline the YMCA affairs after hearing three rival claimants to the control and management of the association, as briefly reported by Dawn on Saturday. Three sets of office-bearers, registered as ‘YMCA’ under different laws, are contending for recognition before the high court.

The bench, which comprised Justices Mushir Alam and Amir Hani Muslim, examined the submissions made by Advocates M M Tariq, Zahid Hamid, M Nusrat, Samuel Xavier and Iqbal Khurram; Additional Advocate-General Abbas Ali; and SHC Nazir Zaheeruddin and passed the following order late on Friday:

“There are serious allegations and counter-allegations made by rival groups, each claiming the right to YMCA management. The Nazir was appointed commissioner vide order dated 06.10.2005 to take over the relevant record of membership and also to hold fresh elections within 60 days from the passing of the order. It appears that the parties who were seized of the affairs the YMCA are creating hurdles and problems in the way of Nazir in giving effect to the order of the court. The Nazir has specifically complained against the behaviour and conduct of Father Joseph Paul, Salim Khurshid Khokhar and Fazal Shehzad.

“In the circumstances, all the parties are restrained from interfering in the working of Nazir in any manner. We would direct Father Joseph Paul, Salim Khurshid Khokhar Fazal Shehzad to furnish surety of good behaviour and conduct in the sum of Rs 10,000 each to the Nazir’s satisfaction. In view of the above, the proposed elections are deferred till the audit of accounts of the association is carried out by a certified chartered accountant appointed by a committee constituted by us.

“Since the allegations of misappropriation are also raised and accounts have not been audited for quite some time, we would direct the provincial anti-corruption director to hold an inquiry into the YMCA affairs and examine the matter of financial corruption personally. He shall submit his report within four weeks of the date of communication of this order.

“In order to run day-to-day affairs and carry out day-to-day business of the association, a three-member committee, comprising the Nazir, the SHC inspection team member and the advocate-general, is constituted hereby. The AG may, however, depute any law officer in his place. All the YMCA employees shall follow the instructions and directions of the committee.

“It seems some contracts have been awarded for a commercial project by one of the parties claiming management of the YMCA. In view of the allegations and counter-allegations the contract shall not be given effect and no construction activity would be carried out pursuant to it. Any amount received on account of the contract shall be handed over to the committee. If the amount has not been deposited in the association’s account, it would be recovered from the persons who received it on the YMCA’s behalf.

“All the bank accounts and properties, movable and immovable, are to be taken under the control of the three-member committee forthwith. None of the parties to the proceedings shall claim to be representative of the YMCA before any forum till the aforesaid exercise is completed and fresh elections are held.”