GILGIT, April 17: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Sunday removed an official who was carrying out inquiry into alleged embezzlement in Zakat funds and appointed a new officer for the job from the District Management Group.

The people have raised eyebrows over the removal of Asifullah, who, according to them, was carrying out an impartial probe into the irregularities in distribution of zakat money.

Asifullah Khan from the Office Management Group was replaced by Mohammad Sharif from the DMG.

The scam surfaced a couple of months back after audit teams found irregularities in the distribution of funds by zakat committee chairmen in Diarmer and Astore districts.

Sources said both the zakat bodies' chairman enjoyed political influence and their appointments were politically motivated. Bogus cheques had been issued to the poor people.

An official at the zakat administrator office said Mr Asifullah had entertained the complaints of the deserving and poor people.

Officials said Gilgit-Baltistan zakat department has forwarded a report to the chief secretary in this regard who would chair a high level meeting on April 20 to decide as to what action should be taken against the corrupt chairmen of the zakat committees.

The apex court has also taken a suo motu action into the matter and has fixed April 21 for hearing into the case.

APPOINTED: The appointment of three advisors to the chief minister was notified by the CM secretariat on Sunday.

Sources said Iqbal Rasool for youth affairs, Manzoor Hussain for media and Taifore Shah for political affairs were named as advisors to the chief minister.

HEAVY RAINS: The Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday received heavy rains which brought chill in the weather.

The rains started early on Sunday and continued till afternoon. Thick clouds engulfed the region throughout the day. After the rain stopped people went out for picnic and excursion. Inclement weather suspended flight operation between Gilgit and Islamabad.