• Senator Mandviwala calls for criminal cases against those responsible for mishandling Gun and Country Club’s membership fees
• IPC ministry asked to get land demarcated by CDA, pay Rs32m due in property tax

ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday took up multiple governance and accountability issues, particularly flaws in recently constructed Jinnah Square Interchange project and reports of large-scale financial fraud in Kohistan.

The committee, chaired by MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, took exception to the repair works on the underpass that had been constructed less than three months ago.

“It’s alarming that the structure requires repairs in less than three months,”remarked Junaid Akbar Khan. MNA Sanaullah Khan Masti Khel accused officials of ‘seeking cheap publicity’ through hasty planning.

However, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry defended the project, arguing that early completion deserved appreciation rather than blame. He insisted the design met international standards and invited the committee to visit the projects completed under his watch.

Senator Afnanulah Khan praised the interchange, describing it beneficial for the public. “In Peshawar, there are a number of projects that have yet to be completed, whereas this one was finished in just 72 days,” he noted.

PPP leader Shazia Marri acknowledged early completion of the projects but questioned the flaws the interchange had developed of smaller issues that had undermined public confidence.

Concerned over infrastructure failures and financial irregularities, committee members also debated whether the tendering process had complied with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.

MNA Umar Ayub Khan called for a third-party audit and alleged that the project was being unfairly undermined for political reasons. Shahida Akhtar Ali emphasised that the project was both a public demand and a necessity.

Tensions rose as Sanaullah Khan Masti Khel objected to the minister’s participation, stating, “ministers have no mandate to sit here. This is the work of bureaucrats”.

He warned that while the committee had allowed the minister to attend this time out of courtesy, future appearances would not be permitted without formal authorisation.

In another matter, auditors raised objections regarding the Gun and Country Club’s mishandling of membership fees.

Officials disclosed that the club failed to maintain accurate records of collected funds, while the Secretary of Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, admitted the facility had never been audited until two years ago.

“These people have swallowed the fees paid by members - this is outright fraud,” said Senator Saleem Mandviwala, calling for criminal cases to be registered against those responsible. According to the Auditor General, a special audit of the club will commence on July 8.

The meeting also directed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to get its land demarcated by Capital Development Authority (CDA) and pay its Rs32 million due in property tax.

Separately, the committee examined an alleged Rs40 billion scam in Kohistan. Chairman Junaid Akbar Khan questioned why audit recommendations were ignored and how officials accused of misconduct were transferred to Islamabad.

Audit authorities revealed that a group of employees had misused official checkbooks to commit fraud.

Three individuals had been arrested, and an inquiry was underway by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Despite repeated requests to the Finance Department to act against those involved, no disciplinary measures were taken.

The committee directed that complete records be submitted for further review.

The issue surfaced after National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launched investigation into alleged irregularities of Rs36 billion in the provincial government’s account.

The account was meant for retention money by contractors for schemes of four departments including communication and works, local government, irrigation and public health engineering departments.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2025