Latest news with #KinzaMurtaza
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Several illegal commercial units sealed
The Enforcement Squad of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) launched a robust operation against illegal constructions, sealing 17 unauthorised commercial properties located at Mid City Apartments, Service Road, Mouza Gangal. The operation was carried out with the support of the Old Airport police and led by the RDA Enforcement Squad. The team comprised the Assistant Director of Building Control, building inspectors, and other relevant officials. Among the sealed properties were 10 offices, two apartments, one restaurant, and four hotels. Noteworthy establishments included the Overseas Recruitment Agency, Ghauri Town offices, WB Centres, JD Aviation, and others. According to an RDA spokesperson, the owners had constructed commercial buildings without securing the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and in violation of approved building plansactions that contravene the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, and the RDA Building and Zoning Regulations, 2020. RDA director-general Kinza Murtaza has also directed the Building Control Wing to conduct a detailed survey of all unauthorised residential and commercial structures. This includes reviewing approvals, commercialisation status, completion plans, and associated fees and charges. The directive further emphasises that all illegal constructions within the RDA-controlled area must be regularised in accordance with existing regulations.
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Panel postpones RDA scam hearing
The meeting of the special committee formed by the Punjab Chief Secretary to investigate the Rs1.94 billion corruption scandal in the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) failed to be held in Lahore on Thursday. The Director-General of RDA, along with a Deputy Director and an Assistant Director, who had travelled to Lahore for the meeting, were informed about rescheduling of the meeting on June 11. Meanwhile, NAB has intensified its probe into the financial scandal and conducted a raid at the residence of the late Deputy Director. The special committee, comprising DMG officers, had summoned RDA's Director-General Kinza Murtaza, Deputy Director Iftikhar Janjua, and Assistant Director Waqar Asghar Raja to Lahore for a review of records. However, upon their arrival, they were informed that one committee member was unavailable, leading to the postponement of the hearing until June 11. Surprisingly, despite the ongoing investigation, only one retired officer from the approximately dozen former Directors General and Directors of Administration and Finance of RDA, who served between 2016 and 2024/25, has been summoned. Some of these officers have retired, while others hold key positions in Punjab.
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- 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
27-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
RDA blames ex-officers for Rs1.94b scam
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has held a retired Director of Administration and Finance, a late Deputy Director of Finance, and a retired Assistant Director of Finance responsible for a mega financial scandal amounting to Rs1.94 billion. The authority has formally referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for action and recovery of losses. According to an official statement issued by the RDA Director-General, Kinza Murtaza, serious irregularities have been identified in the financial records of the authority, causing substantial loss to the public exchequer. The individuals allegedly involved include the retired Director of Admin and Finance, the late former DD of Finance, and the retired AD of Finance. The DG emphasised that recovering the financial losses resulting from this corruption is imperative. She noted that legal recovery of the amounts due is possible within the framework of the law, including through attachment and confiscation of properties and assets. Citing relevant legal provisions, she referenced section C-33 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 for recovery of embezzled funds, sections 12 and 15 of the NAB Ordinance for freezing and confiscating assets, section 50 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) for recovery of civil liabilities from the estate of a deceased person, and Order XXII Rule 4 of the CPC to initiate legal proceedings against legal heirs after the death of an accused. Murtaza has formally written to the NAB Rawalpindi, FIA, and ACE Rawalpindi, urging swift recovery of the embezzled amount. Talking to The Express Tribune, sources revealed that senior officials, who served as DGs or Directors of Admin and Finance in the RDA over the past nine years, and who held signatory authority over financial matters, might also face action from NAB, FIA, and the ACE for failing to ensure transparency. Meanwhile, the official residence of the late DD Finance was sealed in Civil Lines in the nine-year-old mega corruption scandal in the Authority. Despite 236 suspicious transactions involving the RDA's National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) account, transfers were made to eight companies and 12 individuals and the RDA's financial discipline remained silent, the sources added. It is still to be determined which officials received vehicles in exchange for an Rs110m payment made to a car showroom. Separate payments of Rs175.7 million, Rs339.44m, Rs161.412m, Rs264.45m, Rs393.16m, and Rs74,25m were paid to several companies and individuals. Meanwhile, a probe committee appointed by the RDA DG says it is not currently in a position to identify the primary culprit behind the fraud.
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.
