A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Heritage was convened to probe into allegations levelled against Iqbal Academy staff.
The meeting was convened by Shagufta Jamani and was attended by Federal Minister for National Heritage Samina Khalid Ghurki, MNAs Pir Aftab Shah Jillani, Barrister Usman Ibrahim, Shagufta Sadiq, Surraya Jatoi, Jamila Gilani and Federal Secretary Asif Ghafoor. Aiwan-e-Iqbal Administrator Nadeem Abassi told the meeting that from 2005 to 2010, Suheyl Umar , held dual offices of administrator Aiwan-e-Iqbal and Director Iqbal Academy. Umar has been alleged with transferring funds of Aiwan-e-Iqbal to Iqbal Academy and profiting on the Federal funds which he was not authorised to divert towards any independent institution. The committee had purposed to the Ministry of National Heritage to conduct a special audit of the five year period 2005-2010. The ministry will also entertain the proposal for recomposition of the board of governors of Iqbal Academy. The committee has directed Suheyl Umar to submit a reply in two weeks against the allegations.
