FIA, NAB to probe corruption in all mega projects

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Barrister Shehzad Akbar has said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) would investigate embezzlement of funds in metro bus, Orange Line and other projects launched by the last government.

Talking to a private news channel, he said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was given the mandate by the people to carry forward the process of accountability and it was already taking the steps to achieve that goal.

To a question, he said FIA, NAB, and anti-corruption agencies were looking into the matters of irregularities or corruption in mega projects like metro bus and Orange Line train.

To another question, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan had been apprised about the issues pertaining to the K-Electric and Abraaj Group and investigation agencies had been asked to look into the same.

On Aug 25, the Federal Cabinet had decided to hold forensic audit of mega projects like metro bus, Orange Train and other projects with an objective to ensure transparency.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said funds worth billions of rupees had been spent or announced, by the previous government, for different districts to build airports, motorways and other mega projects ignoring the basic needs like health, education and clean drinking water. “Therefore, the cabinet has also decided to conduct a forensic audit of such projects and call in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for investigation if required.”

He said the purpose for conducting forensic audit of mass transit projects was to evaluate if the public money was used appropriately. “We spent billions of rupees on metro bus projects and afterwards are paying billions of rupees to run them. This needs an audit that will be done across the board.”