Latest news with #KinzaMurtaza
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- 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.
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs1.5b financial scandal hits RDA
A major financial scandal has come to light within the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA). Allegations point to an embezzlement of approximately Rs1.5 billion, dating back to fiscal years 2016-2017. According to sources, relevant officials are now expected to face questioning. An internal inquiry committee has been constituted, and the matter may be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Sources said the RDA — the executing agency behind major infrastructure projects such as the completed Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus and the under-construction Ring Road project — has long engaged in a practice of issuing Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs) despite having funds available in bank accounts. This was allegedly done to avoid income tax deductions. However, senior officers reportedly failed to maintain transparency and financial discipline in the process. By protocol, all financial transactions with the bank require joint authorisation from the agency's head and the head of the relevant department. Initially, reports suggested that Rs3 billion in RDA funds were missing. That figure was later revised down to Rs1.5 billion, prompting an internal investigation after years of silence on the issue. RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza has now constituted an internal inquiry committee to investigate the alleged financial misconduct. The committee includes 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. The committee is expected to summon retired RDA officials as part of the probe. Sources say the committee has yet to obtain any records from the bank. Relevant RDA officials are currently in contact with the concerned bank to secure documentation. The investigation will aim to verify the issuance of the CDRs and trace the actual recipients of the credited funds. According to internal findings so far, CDRs amounting to Rs1.5 billion were credited to various individuals and entities. 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.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ring Road project reaches halfway mark
Almost 50% of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) project has so far been completed and construction work has accelerated to meet the December 2025 deadline set by the chief minister of Punjab. The revised PC-1 worth Rs33 billion has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The total length of the RRR will be 38.3 kilometers. However, a final decision has yet to be made regarding the establishment of an economic zone along the road. The key road project starts near Baanth Mor, Rawat, on GT Road and will culminate at the Thalian Interchange on the Motorway. The route includes the construction of five interchanges, two river bridges, seven stormwater bridges, one railway bridge, 11 overpasses, 10 underpasses, and 53 culverts. The project is being executed under the supervision of the Project Management Unit (PMU), established by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), and the contractor firm is the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The five interchanges are being constructed at Baanth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian. Although there have been continuous demands from the Rawalpindi and Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as local business communities, to establish economic zones along both sides of the Ring Road, the proposal has not yet received formal approval. It is worth noting that the RRR is considered a "missing link" in the city's road infrastructure. With increasing traffic congestion on GT Road and inner city routes, the road is seen as the only viable alternative for diverting heavy traffic. The road is also expected to contribute to economic development through the proposed economic zones and help reduce environmental pollution. Furthermore, it will significantly reduce road accidents and ensure smoother and uninterrupted traffic flow. Director General of RDA, Kinza Murtaza, confirmed that the revised PC-1 of Rs33b has been approved, funds are available, and the project's progress is being monitored daily.
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Pindi gets Green Biker Lane
The Punjab government has introduced a dedicated Green Biker Lane in Rawalpindi for motorcycle riders after Lahore to address traffic concerns. Motorcyclists will now be able to easily travel on a dedicated track from Gulzar-e-Quaid to the Flying Club and from the Flying Club to Korral Turn on Old Airport Road. As the City Traffic Police (CTP) is working on raising awareness among motorcyclists and also enforcing the rules, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director-General Kinza Murtaza says reflectors and signals will be placed on the Green Biker Lane, especially at turns. Additionally, two monuments will be erected at specific points on the road to highlight the culture of Punjab and Rawalpindi, she adds. Following the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure smooth traffic flow and safe travel on roads, the RDA has launched a pilot project. In the first phase, a five-kilometre track for motorcyclists has been developed on both sides of Old Airport Road at a cost of Rs45 million, with a 12-foot wide Green Biker Lane. The track, which stretches from Korral Chowk to the Flying Club and back, has been partially completed and is now operational on a trial basis. Work is still ongoing on one side of the road. Motorcyclists have already started benefiting from the dedicated lane. According to the RDA DG, a special type of paint has been used to ensure that bikers do not slip, even during rain. The facility will be gradually extended to other busy roads in the city, including Nur Khan Air Base and Murree Road. The CTP has deployed traffic wardens at specific points on the road to enforce traffic laws and provide awareness to motorcyclists regarding Green Biker Lane. Chief Traffic Officer Beenish Fatima believes that the Green Biker Lane will improve traffic flow and reduce accidents. She emphasise that violations of traffic laws will be addressed with strict action. Additionally, once the lane is fully operational, speed cameras will be used to monitor the traffic. After Ramazan, the roads will be declared for strict enforcement of seat belts, speed limits, and other traffic regulations. Motorcyclists in Rawalpindi have expressed their satisfaction with the newly introduced lane, but some citizens have raised concerns about the service road or link road along the track from Gulzar-e-Quaid to the Flying Club, as vehicles passing through this area can disrupt the smooth flow of traffic and increase the risk of accidents. Citizens have urged the authorities to address this issue as well. The Punjab government's initiative to create the Green Biker Lane by removing encroachments and focusing on citizens' convenience is praiseworthy, but the government needs to address any flaws in the pilot project in the next phase to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Punjab, they add.
