Three senior officials of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are likely to be investigated Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for their alleged roles in release of about Rs 500 million subsidy in fake claims in one day, well informed sources told Business Recorder.
The three TDAP officials who are accused of causing harm to the national exchequer are Abid Javed Akbar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority, Kazi Kabir, former Secretary TDAP (presently working in the Commerce Ministry as Joint Secretary (Administration) and Director General Facilitation, Abdul Karim Daud Pota. "All transactions materialised during the tenure of caretaker government," the sources maintained.
The names of all the accused have been put on Exit Control List (ECL). The name of former CEO TDAP, Mohibullah Shah, has also been placed on ECL. TDAP's 9 to 10 officials are already in jail for their alleged involvement in embezzlement of national exchequer in the name of subsidy. The three senior officials, sources claim, were appointed by former Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim who is already facing a trial in NICL scam. "This scam is similar to NICL's and the investigators had to work hard to trace the money trail," commented one of the insiders in TDAP.
FIA's investigations are linked to controversial activities in TDAP in previous years whereas a secret panel probed "Ghaplas" of 2013. Giving details, the sources said, a three-member committee headed by Additional Secretary Fazal Abbas Makan is investigating different schemes in Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) including rules. The sources claim the amount of STFP was Rs 4.2 billion, of which Rs 3 billion was released in 2011-12.
According to sources, Makhdoom Amin Fahim was responsible for the release of Rs 3 billion, of which a substantial amount has reportedly been embezzled. The remaining amount was not released by the Finance Ministry till March 25, 2013 - 8 to 9 days after the PPP government completed its term on March 16, 2103. Of this amount, Rs 760 million was released on the basis of reportedly fake claims on April 5, 2013. The committee also unearthed Rs 400 million embezzlement in subsidy meant for 2011 and 2012.
According to sources, the then Commerce Minister exerted pressure for the release of the remaining amount and had appointed his own team which is now implicated in a major scam. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, sources said, personally went to the Prime Minister to seek his approval to appoint Kazi Kabir as Secretary TDAP.
Kazi is the first Secretary of TDAP in grade-20 who is posted in Islamabad while running the affairs of the organisation headquartered in Karachi. According to TDAP Act, Secretary should not be less than grade-21 officer. The sources maintained that when relations between Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Tariq Iqabal Puri, former CEO TDAP, worsened just before the expiry of the former's contract period, Abid Javed Akbar was made CEO.
The alleged deal was that all the releases would materialise through the new CEO. It has been alleged that Director General Facilitation was to initiate work, the Secretary was to recommend and CEO was to approve the releases. "There are allegations of graft embezzlements in TDAP schemes after March 25, 2013 when the three senior officials - Abid Javed Akbar, Kazi Kabir and Daud Pota - were responsible for running TDAP affairs," the sources maintained.
The money has been released in the name of fake companies and some genuine companies are also involved in the scam in connivance with three TDAP officials. The sources further stated that unconfirmed reports suggest that one of the Commercial Counsellors posted abroad is also involved in this mega fraud. According to sources, the committee submitted its report to the Commerce Ministry a couple of days ago. However, there are indications that the Secretary has not forwarded the inquiry report to the Prime Minister and FIA due to pressure from the influential accused.