NAB calls Punjab finance minister, MPA in Saaf Pani Company scam

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has once again summoned Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha and MPA Waheed Gul in connection with a probe into the Saaf Pani Company scam on Wednesday (today).

The Bureau had earlier recorded the statements of the provincial finance minister, who has previously served as chairman of the Saaf Pani Company, and the lawmaker, former member of its board of directors.

Ghaus has been accused of awarding contracts for installing water plants in the province at inflated rates in her capacity as the chairman of the company.

The anti-graft watchdog earlier served notices to Punjab Chief Minister and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif to appear on June 4 to submit certain documents along with answers to its queries with regard to the probe.

Lately, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed conceded before the Supreme Court that a single drop of water couldn’t be made available to the people of the province despite the government having spent Rs four billion on the Saaf Pani Project. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, who headed a two-judge bench of the apex court, was hearing a suo motu case at Lahore registry, pertaining to non-provision of potable water to the people of the province.

The chief secretary told the judges that so far Rs four billion had been spent on Punjab Saaf Pani Company (PSPC), set up with an aim to ensure supply of potable water to the people, but not a single drop of water could be supplied.

Justice Nisar expressed displeasure over the authorities, saying so much money was squandered on the advertisement campaign, but the project couldn’t be completed.

He reiterated that everyone will be held to account and that he will ensure every single penny of public money is returned to the national exchequer.