Massive corruption has been detected in procurement of wild animals to be kept at Lahore Zoo Safari.
According to sources, the government spent around Rs 27.5 million on purchase of wild animals. “White lions were purchased at a cost of Rs 13 million when their market price is around Rs 5.6 to Rs 5.9 million, thus a blow of over Rs 7 million was dealt to the state kitty,” added the sources.
Similarly, three Bengal tigers were bought for Rs 18.3 million while their market price varies between Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000. Two jaguars were purchased for Rs 11 million causing the government a loss of Rs 6 million. The issue was surfaced when market rates and international rates were compared.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has completed the investigation of this case, but action against the accused has not yet been taken.
What were NAB's findings is not known but this is an irony that action on investigations is not taken. This makes the process of investigation – Zero. When Panama Leaks case was supposed to be investigated, five of the Supreme Court Judges excused themselves. And today, an ex Supreme Court CJ, Saiduz-Zaman-Siddiqui expressed his apprehentions about such investigations. Playing with purchase price of Animals for Zoo and Safari Parks is a normal corrupt practice. That happens all over Pakistan. In Karachi, three baby elephants were presented – free of cost by the Govenment of Tanzania some years ago. The Zoo athorities converted it into " Purchases" and got released millions and pocketed. This shameless practice is part of our National Character.
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