MANSEHRA, Feb 28: The Anti-Corruption Establishment has arrested two officials in Battagram for their alleged involvement in embezzlement of funds, meant for rehabilitation of 200 schemes destroyed in Oct 8, 2005 earthquake.

“We have launched investigation into embezzlement of funds and arrested a tehsil municipal officer and a sub-engineer, who withdrew funds without rehabilitating a water supply scheme,” Ijaz Khan, the in-charge of ACE, told a press conference on Tuesday.

He said that after preliminary investigation an FIR was lodged against TMO Fida Mohammad, Sub-engineer Mohammad Khalid, TOI Gohar Ali and contractor Shereen Mohammad. He said that Khalid and Fida were arrested on Tuesday.

Mr Khan said that on the directives of ACE Director Abdullah Khan an inquiry was launched in embezzlement of funds, meant for reconstruction of roads, water supply schemes, schools and health centres that were destroyed in October 8, 2005 earthquake.

Funds for rehabilitation of those schemes were earmarked by Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority, he added. Mr Khan said that officials of Battagram and Allai TMAs involved in corruption would be taken to task. He said that they were investigating fund embezzlement in each scheme separately.

SEMINAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Tuesday urged religious scholars to play an active role in eradicating epidemics and infectious diseases in the country.

The seminar titled ‘Role of religious scholars in eradicating infectious diseases’ was organised by World Health Organisation in collaboration with Inter-Religious Council for Health.