The Accountability Court on Wednesday convicted three accused officers and office-bearers of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) for seven years rigorous imprisonment each in the case of contributory provident fund of corporation employees.
The Court also awarded the absconding accused, M Akram Khanzada, three years RI under section 31-A, in absentia.
In case of default in payment of fine amount, Ashiq Ali (Rs 12,08,000) and Raees Ahmed (Rs 6,73,000) will further undergo simple imprisonment for another one year each.
The Court also disqualified both the accused for 10 years U/S 15 of National Accountability Ordinance.
The 'Contributory Provident Fund' deducted from salary of the employees of PNSC is managed by the administrator who is also custodian of the provident funds. The accused Ashiq Ali, was serving as income tax and secretary provident fund in national flag carrier and Raees Ahmed was serving as general secretary of PNSC officers association, while accused M. Akram Khanzada was serving as senior assistant in the corporation and Chairman of the PNSC Staff Union was administrator of the Provident Fund.
While the accused Raees Ahmed by virtue of being member of Union Council of PNSC was also having an approach to the provident fund. All three accused persons were responsible to maintain proper record of funds and cheques books of all the employees of corporation.
They were also authorised to sanction loan to the employees and to sign the cheques.
During the period from 1995 to 2000 all accused persons in furtherance of their common intention and through deceitful/fraudulent means had illegally withdrawn an amount of Rs 1,35,05,000 through fraud by issuing 139 cheques in the names of various 'Fictitious Persons' who were not employees of the corporation.
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