KARACHI, April 15: In a bid to expose the alleged corrupt practices of former officials, a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Council member has asked the federation for access to accounts and relevant records.

NWFP Hockey Association secretary Zahir Shah has asked PHF secretary Khalid Mahmood that to prove financial irregularities perpetrated by former secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan and other officials during last five years, the former PHF treasurer should also be summoned to help the investigations.

“I may kindly be granted access to the relevant records in addition to what I possess so that exact, true and updated position could be put forthwith. It would be appreciated if the treasurer of that period is also directed to be present for the queries,” Zahir wrote to PHF secretary on April 11, 2007.

The request has been made after PHF chief Zafarullah Jamali had asked the Council member at April 2 Council meeting to give his suggestions in writing to be included as minutes of the meeting.

Although Jamali had asked the Council members to “forget and forgive” those who wasted Rs150 million given by him in grants to PHF as prime minister, Zahir had requested that details of visa scandal and embezzlement be at least put on PHF records.

“When I took over as PHF president last year, I found PHF facing huge deficit. It was surely mismanagement of the previous officials. It was either a waste or a big question mark,” Jamali had remarked at the Council meeting.

Zahir had raised several issues at the Council meeting regarding irregularities such as contradictory figures given by Brig Musarrat and visa scam.

According to Council member, Musarrat had provided a figure of Rs 7.72 million for 2005 and Rs 5.79 million for 2004 under technical expertise, while he submitted a figure of Rs 13.4 million for 2004-5 to Senate which showed a difference of Rs6 million.

The NWFP official had also requested to probe who was involved in obtaining visas for unauthorised persons through PHF office. Musarrat had sacked director administration Capt Mukhtar Ali but it was later revealed that in fact he had authorised the retired captain a long time ago to seek visas for various European countries. Reports say about 45 unauthorised persons were sent abroad along with the team.

Apart from these issues, the Council member has also raised the scandal of airline tickets worth Rs20 million purchased by PHF from a non-IATA travel agency.

“It was pointed out at April 2 meeting that sponsorships were acquired without contract and Memorandum of Understanding, travel and daily allowances were not taken according to PHF financial rules.

“In this context it is my privilege and prerogative as Congress and Council member to incorporate the allegations as part of minutes of the Council meeting as directed by the PHF president and endorsed by the Council,” Zahir wrote to PHF secretary.

Soon after the Council meeting Jamali had told Dawn that a probe committee would be formed to investigate into the charges against previous officials.

The latest development might open a Pandora’s box as more detailed financial irregularities are expected to be revealed once the investigation starts.