LAHORE: The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has registered a case against former chief minister’s principal secretary Mohammad Khan Bhatti on the charge of taking over Rs460 million as bribe from government officials to appoint them against posts of their choice.

The ACE has also nominated former chief minister’s son Monis Elahi and former minister of communication and works (C&W) department, Ali Afzal Sahi in the case.

There are reports that the ACE has arrested a highways department sub-divisional officer (SDO) Rana Iqbal in the same case and formed teams for the arrest of the prime accused, Mr Bhatti.

According to the FIR, Mr Bhatti got hefty amounts as bribe through Rana Iqbal to appoint officers of the Punjab Highways Department.

Moonis, Ali Sahi also nominated in the case

It alleged that Iqbal would visit the house of Mr Bhatti to hand him over bribe amount, where Monis Elahi and Ali Afzal Sahi used to be present.

It was further alleged that many other government officers were also working for the former principal secretary to the CM and pay him hefty amounts from the government funds as bribe.

The FIR carries names of some officers and the amounts they allegedly gave as bribe to Mr Bhatti.

It said the role of many other government officers was also being looked into in this respect.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2023