ISLAMABAD: Expressing dismay over the slow pace of investigation against the officials involved in massive corruption in Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), a parliamentary panel on Thursday said that corruption in the organisation was just a tip of the iceberg, and it was also violating its mandate by doing "real estate" business.

The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, which met here with Senator Hilalur Rehman in the chair, discussed the status of corruption cases and inquiries in the EOBI, and budget allocation of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development for FY 2019-2020.

In his briefing to the committee, the director-general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding updated status of corruption cases and inquiries in the EOBI, said that out of 18 cases 16 were suo moto.

The members said that EOBI had moved away from its mandate and was working in property business only, adding those involved in corruption cases should be brought to book as soon as possible.

The committee was informed that according to the EOBI Act, the organisation was mandated to work towards the welfare of pensioners, and therefore, invests in various schemes including real estate. The need to discuss the EOBI investment portfolio in greater detail was stressed.

Discussing the budget allocation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and its attached departments, the committee was informed that total allocation entailed Rs1,541,000,000, funds received Rs1,470,503,858, and utilisation has been Rs1,394,603,883.

The ministry has surrendered unutilised funds to the Finance Ministry. The committee stressed the need for increasing community welfare attachés (CWA) funding in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Manchester, and Doha, adding a CWA policy will be introduced. The committee also expressed grave concern regarding the motorway incident, and was of the view that stringent measures must be taken to avoid such cases.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020