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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Top RDA officials summoned in massive scandal
The Punjab chief secretary has taken notice of the alleged major financial scandal amounting to Rs1.94 billion in the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and summoned RDA Director General (DG) Kinza Murtaza to appear before a special inquiry committee in Lahore. There are strong indications that she may be removed from her post and made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Investigations into the scandal are already underway by both the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Establishment. According to sources, between 2016 and 2017, payments totalling Rs1.94 billion were made to various companies and individuals from the RDA's account through Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs). These bank transactions were never scrutinised by the then DGs or directors of admin and finance, who held signing authority during the period in question. This complete lack of oversight paralysed the financial discipline and transparency mechanisms within the RDA, sources said. The malpractice remained unchecked until the first week of May 2025, when newly appointed Director Admin and Finance, Qazi Sohaib, initiated a probe and uncovered the irregularities. In a related development, former Deputy Director Finance Junaid Taj Bhattiwho was then serving as DG Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) in Sialkotdied under mysterious circumstances on May 13 in his Sialkot office. Following the discovery, the RDA DG first wrote to the Punjab secretary for housing seeking permission to formally begin an internal inquiry. However, before receiving a response, she proceeded to send letters to the DG of Punjab Anti-Corruption Department and NAB chairman, and DG FIA, requesting their involvement in the investigation. This move reportedly angered the relevant provincial secretary, who expressed strong displeasure in a video link meeting over the matter being forwarded to external agencies prematurely, sources said. Meanwhile, NAB has acquired the relevant records and launched a formal investigation. On June 3, the Anti-Corruption Establishment's regional director in Rawalpindi summoned and recorded statements from 13 current and retired RDA officers and employees. Sources indicate that the DG may be removed from her position and reassigned as OSD after her appearance before the committee.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab ACE to probe RDA scam
In light of weak financial discipline within the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), a major embezzlement scandal involving Rs1.64 billion in public funds has come to light. Talking to The Express Tribune on Monday, sources said authorities have decided to refer the matter to the Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab for investigation. Depending on the findings and nature of the case, it may also be forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), based on recommendations from the anti-corruption body. According to the sources, the embezzlement is linked to RDA's role as the executing agency for the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project. Starting in fiscal year 201617, RDA received its share of project funds, which, along with other public funds, were allegedly transferred over a prolonged period to various companies via Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs) from official RDA accounts. Initially, the suspected embezzlement amount was estimated at Rs3 billion. However, a detailed review of the CDR records confirmed the misappropriation stands at approximately Rs1.64 billion. In response, RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza first constituted a departmental inquiry committee comprising RDA officers. It included Director Admin and Finance Qazi Sohaib Ahmed, Director State Management Shehzad Nasir Gondal, Director Land Malik Ghazanfar Awan, and Director WASA Tahir Bashir, among others. However, during internal consultations, concerns were raised that while a departmental inquiry may establish facts, it lacks the authority to recover misappropriated funds or hold individuals accountable. Therefore, it was decided to treat the matter as a formal reference and forward it to the Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab. Additionally, due to the suspected involvement of private banks in the transactions, the Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab has the discretion to escalate the case to NAB or FIA as deemed appropriate. Meanwhile, several RDA officials who were in service during the period of the alleged embezzlementand who have since retiredhave been summoned by the DG RDA. Some have already appeared before the authority to present their statements, while others are expected to report soon. The sources further revealed that a special team within the RDA has already retrieved significant documentation and has identified the specific banks where funds were transferred into private company accounts. These banks have been formally requested to freeze the relevant accounts to prevent the withdrawal or disappearance of public money and to facilitate the possible recovery of misappropriated funds. It is important to note that authority for cash transfers and other financial matters rests jointly with the institution's head and the departmental chief. Despite multiple attempts, Director General Kinza Murtaza could not be reached for comment on the alleged financial scandal.
