ISLAMABAD – Development funds of around Rs 160 million were allegedly misappropriated by Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) Sindh Chapter, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Labour and Manpower was told Friday. The committee, chaired by Dr Ghulam Haider Samejo, was told that the funds had been provided to the Sindh Chapter of the WWF by the head office. Labour Ministry Secretary Arif Azeem told the committee that the WWF head office had granted the sum to the provincial chapter of the WWF to assist the workers in marrying their daughters but the funds were misused.
He also told the committee that the ministry had completed an inter-departmental inquiry in that regard and decided that the matter should be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigation. The secretary said the WWF had appointed 293 poeple in the department during the last three years. Expressing concern over the misuse, the members of the committee said that the amount should be recovered from the culprits.
The chairman told the provincial secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Manpower to attend the next meeting and clarify his department’s position.
