A writ petition was filed in Islamabad High Court on Monday against alleged embezzlement of Rs 77.7 million by a government contractor. Advocate Sharafat Ali Chaudhry contended in his petition that Rs 77.7 million was allocated by Pakistan Public Works Department for the construction of Khaira Distributor Road to connect it with Barqi Road, Lahore.
The petitioner contended that funds were released to government contractor Haji Muhammad Ismail of Lahore for the construction of the road. The construction work was not executed but the contractor submitted bills with a statement that work on the project had been completed.
The petitioner stated that Kashmala Tariq, member National Assembly and Mian Masood, Superintendent PWD, conducted a physical verification of the project on April 10, 2001, which found that no work was executed but the payment of Rs 77.7 million was made in three instalments. The petitioner alleged that the embezzlement was carried out with the connivance of Hafiz Muhammad Ramzan, Chief Engineer PWD, who was promoted after the enquiry of the embezzlement and was presently working as Chief Engineer, West Zone, PWD Quetta. The petitioner prayed that substantial public money was misused so the responsible be brought to justice.