PAC body orders probe into fund embezzlement by ECP

The special body of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Monday ordered probe into embezzlement worth millions of rupees by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The special committee of PAC, which met here with Zahid Hamid in the chair, discussed the special audit report of the accounts of funds released by ECP to Nadra for preparation of electoral rolls in 2000.
Defence Secretary, Secretary ECP and Director General Nadra appeared before the committee to explain the audit paras. The committee was informed that ECP awarded a contract worth Rs 444.737 million without flouting any tender for publishing electoral rolls in 2000.
The audit officials termed the action of ECP as arbitrary, non-transparent and in violation of general financial rules and favoured one party at the cost of open competition. They pointed out that ECP deprived the public exchequer of the benefit of competitive rate besides violating the spirit of para 10 of GFR Volume-1.
Accepting the massive irregularities Ishtiak Ahmed Khan, Secretary ECP demanded the PAC to take stern action against persons involved in the illegal award of worth millions of rupees contract to its favourite party. "We have already pointed out that action must be taken against those who were responsible for this blunder. We are not trying to save them as we have already made it clear that there were massive irregularities," the ECP Secretary added.
He said that the task for preparation of electoral rolls for local bodies' elections was assigned in July, 2000. The entire task was to be completed by May, 2001 and there was no provision for extension in the timeframe as the federal government had already announced the schedule for local bodies' elections, he said.
He said that the then Chairman Nadra awarded the contract to M/s Jaffer Brothers. The action of Nadra to award contract valuing Rs 444.737 million, without calling open tenders, he added, to a contractor was irregular and against the laid down rules. "The decision was unlawfully taken by an individual who was not competent to do so," he remarked. Zahid Hamid directed the ECP, interior ministry and DG Nadra to hold an inquiry and report back to the committee by fixing responsibility against the persons involved.