The Punjab government is likely to appoint an official, who is accused of financial embezzlement, as Local Fund Audit provincial director, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to sources, Manzoor Khadim is keen to get the post and approached Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with a written application citing the Raymond Davis case as an example. The Local Fund Audit is considered to be one of the important departments, as it is an attached department of the Punjab Finance Department and used to control funds of the local government.
The Punjab finance secretary has opposed Khadim’s appointment citing his involvement in financial embezzlement and wants him to get cleared from the charges. According to sources, Khadim allegedly passed bills worth millions of rupees during his tenure as audit director in schools of the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation (MCL). Khadim passed the bills without any verification and an inquiry was initiated against him.
“He has not been cleared from the inquiry but still the Punjab government is interested in appointing him,” a senior official said adding that the Punjab CM is being approached by some influential quarters for appointment of Khadim. According to sources, the fraud accused wrote to the CM saying, “The CM has sworn in the Raymond Davis case of being innocent and in the same manner I swear and assure the CM that I am innocent and should be appointed”.