LAHORE: The Employees Old Age Benefits Institution says a news report (appeared on these pages on March 29) regarding an inquiry in a corruption case in the EOBI misrepresents the facts.

It says an ‘anonymous’ complaint formally forwarded to the head office by Deputy Director-General Farooq Tahir on March 18, 2025 has not been substantiated with requisite ‘procedural’ requirements and necessary record, while the cell phone of the complainant was also found switched off.

It further says that Mr Tahir, a director by designation, has been transferred and posted as an officiating DDG Adjudicating Authority, a post senior to his position, and not penalized for reporting a corruption case.

The video and documentary record available with the reporter, however, reveals that the corruption plaint related to late registration of a shoes-making company had been filed with DDG (operations) office on Jan 22, 2025 and complainant Malik Fida Hussain appeared before the DDG Tahir along with the evidence on Feb 24. It was forwarded to the EOBI acting chairman along with minutes of the inquiry on March 18.

Ironically, not only the deputy director who was accused of corruption by Mr Hussain was elevated but the then regional head Sheikhupura, who gave clearance for registration of the company after the alleged deal was done by the deputy director, was posted as the DDG (operations) replacing Mr Tahir.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025