The maiden financial scam-to-be in the earthquake relief fund has hit the government in the toes little over a month after the October 8 catastrophe in the northern parts of the country and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
A member of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz cabinet was accused of altering specifications for Rs 1.8 billion water and weather proof tents procurement deal allegedly for personal gains.
Textile Minister Mushtaq Cheema reportedly owns one or more textile mills in Faisalabad City and has used his influence with good effect to power the use of substandard material in the making of tents to be procured by the government.
These tents will ahead of harsh winter be provided to millions of people who were rendered homeless in October 8 earthquake.
The government on Thursday denied the allegation and turned down an opposition demand in the Senate for a parliamentary probe in the matter.
It, however, did admit it had compromised the internationally established standards in the issuing of tenders for tents procurement, but said it was done due to time constraints to meet the emergency arising out of post-October 8 situation.
Even an opposition boycott could not compel Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro to refer the matter to the house standing committee on finance for an inquiry.
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Senator Dr Abdullah Riar brought the matter in the House with a claim that he had proofs of the minister's involvement in altering specifications to allow use of substandard materiel for personal gains.
Riar said the material had been allowed to be used in the tents could not bear even the first rain of the season and would add to the miseries of the victims.
The minister also admitted the specifications for the deal were altered, but said no mala fide intention was behind it. Rather, he added, it was to meet the emergency.
Several other ministers and Leader of the House in the Senate Wasim Sajjad rose successfully to block the opposition attempt for taking the matter to the house committee for further investigation.
But Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raza Rabbani did not accept what the minister's claimed and demanded the matter be referred to the committee.
"Does an emergency gives anybody a blank cheque to violate the internationally established standards? Does it allow the government to plunder the money?" Raza questioned.
Raza said: "If the government's hands are clean and nothing is wrong with the deal, than let it be looked at in the committee to ensure transparency."
The chair, however, thought otherwise and turned down the demand even after the opposition walkout that lasted till the adjournment of the session for Friday morning.
The government was already finding it difficult to convince the international donors that the money they are contributing to the relief fund will be used in a transparent manner under a military set up.