LAHORE, May 18: The Punjab government has initiated a follow-up inquiry into the Punjab Arts Council fire which burnt the accounts record on Nov 25 last.

Information Department secretary Kamran Lashari has constituted a three-member committee to hold the inquiry. The committee has charge-sheeted seven Arts Council employees.

The fire had destroyed record of spending on Golden Jubilee celebrations and Mela Waris Shah. The audit was then about to begin.

The preliminary inquiry had established departmental mala fide. Listing the reasons for the conclusion, the inquiry committee had mentioned that no-one turned up in time to control fire, and that mineral oil odour was detected at the scene. Electric short-circuit was ruled out as a possible cause.

PAC executive director Malik Muhammad Husain, the former Public Relations Director-General, also did not turn up for the inquiry. Mr Husain was exonerated by a later inquiry, but others were not.

The government has now formed another committee to look afresh into the matter and assign responsibility.