Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has given two weeks to the Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) chairman to decide about agreements reached with the DHA and other parties on sale of land and fresh bidding of land, otherwise the court will give its decision.
A two-member bench of the SC, led by Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali took up the EOBI corruption case for hearing Wednesday.
Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali remarked: “The EOBI’s own top officers were involved in its scandal. There is a need to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against them. No other person has to endure the consequences of the crimes of the EOBI officers”.
He said that no one was ready to buy the property involving litigation, no matter how attractive it was. He asked if there was any complaint against the rival party, so that the amount can be taken back by returning the land.
“Price of the land was paid several times higher than the market rate. The EOBI authorities are not innocent in this matter,” the SC judge said.
The EOBI chairman told the court that he had advertised in newspapers in connection with bidding of this land, but no one had come forth with a bidding offer.
“We want to review this matter afresh. Please give the time. All parties are responsible for the non-transparent deal,” he prayed the court.
Justice Ejaz Chaudhry remarked: “Corruption is galore in EOBI. We don’t want to open this pandora box, nor will we make it part of the decision”. He inquired as to what was the reason that led to striking such a major deal.
To the counsel for Eden Gardens, Tariq Mehmood, who told the court that his client was ready to pay the amount, and that pay orders have been prepared, Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali said we the court gives you option either to pay the amount or return the property.
Tariq Mehmood said he had filed points in writing and the court can give decision by reviewing them. Value of the property was higher at the time when it was purchased. The EOBI has sought excessive amount from us.
“Property has not been handed over to us but our names have been put in ECL. FIA is harassing us,” he prayed to the court.
The court, accepting the EOBI chairman’s request for more time, adjourned the hearing for two weeks, after which it sought a detailed reply from the institution regarding its agreements with different housing societies.
