'Corrupt' officials occupying key posts in Sindh, SHC told

KARACHI: About 80 per cent officials of the Sindh government, who entered into plea bargain with the National Accountability Bureau to avoid punishment in graft cases, have been removed from their posts. However, a number of such officials are still occupying key positions.

This was stated in a report submitted in the Sindh High Court in pursuance of its directives for submission of details of government officers having entered into plea bargain with the corruption watchdog.

According to the report, about 311 officials who voluntarily returned the embezzled money under the NAB law belonged to the education and literacy department, followed by 50 officials of the local government department, 27 of the irrigation department, 15 of the works and services, nine of services & general administration department, and six of the health department.

It said the officers who are still occupying key positions include secretaries of some government departments.

Besides, the report said the officials who admitted to having embezzled government funds have been fired from the services.

Earlier, on Feb 13, NAB said it received plea bargain applications of over Rs 120 million during the ongoing year.

Among those who entered into plea bargain is former vice chancellor of University of Sargodha, Muhammad Akram Chaudhry. He had agreed to return Rs 9.2 million in a graft case filed against him for allegedly making illegal appointments in the university.

His two associates – Shafiq and Waris Nadeem – also agreed to return Rs 50.2 million and Rs 40.7 million, respectively. Nadeem assured of paying the amount in three installments with an assurance to submit first installment of Rs20.13 million, and the remaining two in equal installments.