ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigation report has confirmed embezzlement in fuel purchase by transport section of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

According to the report, made available to Dawn, the department has been involved in this malpractice since 1984.

The finance department of the IIUI unearthed the scandal during internal audit of transport record in 2008 but the university’s management did not take action, hence NAB had to intervene in August 2012, Dawn has learnt.

For instance, the report said, the fuel tank of Bedford bus (ID-5913) had the capacity of 117 litres, but on paper, it was filled with 135 litres during each filling. The extra litres add up to 23,485 litres (Rs2.4 million present amount) during 1984 to 2011.

Besides, route of the bus was same but monthly mileage of the bus varied from 2.65km/litre to 4.59km/litre, the report said.

An official of NAB requesting not to be quoted said that investigation had been finalised and necessary action against the relevant officers of IIUI recommended.

Besides, he said, NAB would also investigate embezzlement in repair of buses, auto parts purchases and petty cash.

A faculty member of IIUI on condition of anonymity said the corrupt officers had been trying to stop possible legal action against them.

“Strict action should be taken against them so that malpractices in the university could be stopped,” he said.

Receipts of the filling stations recovered during audit, include bills of Capri Filling Station of F-6 Civic Centre, Midway Petroleum of Sector H-11 and a filling station in Sector G-9 Markaz.

Assistant Director NAB, Waqarul Hasan was appointed investigation officer in the case who raided the transport section of the university twice on August 18 and August 28 and confiscated some record.

An officer of IIUI said that during the investigation, name of additional director transport section and some other officers came as alleged embezzlers.

IIUI has the biggest fleet of 140 vehicles, so one can imagine the amount of corruption.

When contacted, the IIUI spokesman, Heran Khattak, said that as soon as the university got the NAB report, necessary action would be taken against the corrupt.

While replying to a question regarding delay in action against the corrupt, he said the university management had changed after the embezzlement came to the surface in 2008.

Legal expert advocate Riasat Ali Azad said that if corruption had been proved, NAB could lodge an FIR against the embezzlers or file a reference in NAB court.

The investigation officer of NAB, Assistant Director Waqarul Hasan, confirmed that report had been finalised but refused to divulge its details.

“Interaction with mediapersons has been prohibited by my seniors,” he said.