Punjab Local Government and Urban Development Minister Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa has taken strict notice of the alleged withdrawal of huge funds by Shahkot Tehsil Nazim Mian Shahid Ali Haider and launching of development projects in his father's constituency in blatant violation of instructions of the Election Commission of Pakistan and Punjab Finance Department.
According to a department's spokesman here on Saturday, the Minister directed Local Commission member Akthar Mehmood to inquire into the matter and submit a report within 15 days.
Shahkot Tehsil Council member sent an application to the Secretary, Local Government, that the Shahkot Tahsil Nazim allegedly misused government funds and started development schemes at a number of places during elections of his father and former Railways Minister Mian Shamim Haider from NA 135, which is a violation of the orders of the Election Commission of Pakistan and Provincial Finance Department.
On the instructions of the Secretary, Local Government, the Additional Director General, Local Government, checked the record of the Shahkot TMA, which revealed that all schemes were initiated after the imposition of the restriction by Election Commission of Pakistan and Finance Department. It further revealed that no tenders were invited and all the schemes were given to oblige different contractors. Similarly, funds were drawn in violation of rules and regulations.
During inquiry, soling of Bala Masjid to Dera Haji Muhammad Sharif at Bhagatwala to Manawala-Safdarabad Road, repair and construction of Nullah Thuthian Kalan, soling of road from Government Middle School, Maili Burji, to Masjid Tibbiwali and construction of Nullah, soling at Tiwana Chak and Dharowali, soling of the road in Ward No 13, Darbar Road, construction of Nullah and soling at Bara Gate Sheikhwala were completed, whereas payment for the boundary wall of the school at Patharwali were made without construction of the boundary wall.
Construction work of toilets and pump room was also left incomplete. According to the report, work on these development schemes continued till the election day. Tehsil Nazim Mian Shahid Ali Haider, TMO Abdul Latif Wahla, Tehsil officers Sheraz Ali and Aftab Ahmad and sub-engineer Asif Hussain were found guilty in the inquiry report for withdrawing funds of lakhs of rupees from the national exchequer and started development schemes for achieving political gains.
The Provincial Local Government Commission reviewed the inquiry report in a meeting, chaired by Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa. The Minister, taking strict notice of the violation of rules and serious irregularities, directed the Local Government Commission to hold a detailed inquiry. Other members of the Local Government Commission Naveed Chaudhry, Ijaz Mahmood Moharvi and Khwaja Muhammad Naeem were also present in the meeting.