The high-ups of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) after allegedly taking kick-backs, secretly, without holding bidding, have handed 16 shops over to their blue-eyed customers for just the monthly rent of Rs5000 per shop.
These shops are not situated in the rural area of Islamabad but in sector H/9 in the heart of the city. These shops are located in the premises of Federal Government Model College for boys H/9 Islamabad. Interestingly, in nearby markets the rent of such shops is around Rs 20,000 per month.
Sources told Pakistan Today that Director General of FDE, Atif Kiani approved the summary sent by H/9 College principal Azhar Bhatti for handing the shops over to a blue – eyed contractor. Meanwhile, traders of the city are astonished at the FDE generosity for renting out 16 big shops each against Rs5000 per month in the prime location of the city. Talking to this correspondent many traders showed their willingness to take the said shops against Rs 15 to 20 thousands per month.
“On the one hand, the landlords of the shops are getting many shops in various areas of the city forcefully vacated from poor tradersm, while on the other hand FDE is secretly handing government owned property to blue-eyed contractors without holding bid.
There should be open bidding so that traders, particularly those traders whose shops were forcefully vacated, can take part in the bid,” said Qamar Abbasi, President F/8 Markaz. The shops were situated under the stairs of the stadium situated in the premises of the college. These shops were lying vacant since 1983. Talking to Pakistan Today FDE Director General (DG) Atif Kiani said that shops were rented out by Principal of the college. It was college property and principal has discretionary power to rent them out. To a query, he confirmed that bidding was not held saying that there was no precedent in FDE to hold bid for giving its shops and canteens on rents.
He said that rent of the said shops was fixed with the consent of Public Works Department (PWD). He also categorically denied that no money was involved in the entire episode. “We did all work with good faith,” he said. Talking to Pakistan Today, teachers’ community hailed the decision of FDE to rent out shops as rent would be spent on college betterment, but showed serious concerns on awarding contract without holding bid. Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA) Secretary General Prof Tahir Mehmood said that it was good initiative of FDE but the shops should have been rented out after holding a bidding process. Teachers are of the view that if FDE is serious to generate funds then it should hold an open bidding for maximum rent.
Who said Islamabad is expensive?
