LAHORE: The Punjab government has reportedly decided to halt its Rs9 billion Khadim-e-Punjab Aab-e-Sehat programme (KPASP) which pertains to the Punjab Saaf Pani Company (PSPC).
In addition to this, the housing department has reportedly surrendered its budget for the programme which amounted to Rs9 billion, reports in the local media stated.
Officers and staff hired for the programme have also been reportedly let go.
The government has justified its action by stating that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had issued an order earlier which said that development programmes could not be initiated after April 2018 in light of the upcoming general elections 2018.
At least 1,807 filtration plants in 1,743 villages were due to be installed in light of the KPASP.
The programme was due to be completed in Lahore and 21 other districts of Punjab.
Earlier on April 7, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had ordered PSPC’s chief executive officer (CEO) and the Punjab government to submit a complete record of the company, including details of salaries, perks and privileges enjoyed by the entire staff and the vehicles provided to them on official duties. The chief justice had given the company one day to submit the record.
CJP Nisar had expressed concern over the outrageous salaries and benefits enjoyed by PSPC officials in addition to a large amount of money paid to foreign consultancies for advice on water projects.
After the Supreme Court took notice of this case, Punjab’s Advocate General Shakilur Rehman Khan had requested the bench to give him some time to prepare comprehensive reports on the working and performance of the company.
During the proceedings, the company’s CEO, while replying to a query from the chief justice, said that his monthly salary was Rs 1.4 million per month.
On this, Nisar had stated that the exorbitant funds diverted towards PSPC were a waste of taxpayers’ money.
