–Supreme Court directs to auction 22 LDA plots earlier leased to oil companies, petrol pumps on low prices
LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered to place the head of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) on the exit control list (ECL).
The decision to put a travel ban on Dr Akhtar Saeed, the PKLI head, was taken during the hearing of a suo motu case regarding financial irregularities in the institute.
The forensic audit report of institute’s expenses was submitted in Supreme Court Lahore registry at which Chief Justice Saqib Nisar expressed displeasure saying that Rs100 million was spent on monthly salaries of employees, yet not a single transplant was conducted at the institute.
He further showed reservation of ZKB Construction Company’s involvement in every matter related to the entity. The court rejected the appeal of the institution seeking more time to submit its report in the case.
The top judge remarked, “If corruption is proven then an apology will not be granted,” while being concerned that the accused will escape accountability if their trial is not completed in his tenure.
“No one will hold them accountable after me,” he said. The chief justice also expressed anger at the institute allegedly running a sympathy campaign on social media.
The apex court sought reports from Punjab government and PKLI by August 20 and adjourned the hearing.
Chief Justice o Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of the exorbitant salaries being doled out to employees of the PKLI. The court had sought details of expenditure of 20 billion rupees which was allocated to the institution from the national exchequer.
AUCTION OF 22 LDA PLOTS:
Moreover, the Supreme Court ordered auction of 22 plots of Lahore Development Authority, which were earlier leased to oil companies/petrol pumps on low prices without an auction.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the orders, while hearing a suo motu notice against allotment of the plots, owned by LDA to petrol pumps at throwaway prices.
During the proceedings, the chief justice noted that the lease fee was Rs 3,000 before it was increased to Rs 15,000, adding that there was no shortage of interested parties for the land.
He directed LDA Director General (DG) Amna Imran Khan to present terms and conditions of the auction before the court on Saturday besides ordering for completing the auction process within 15 days after the approval of the terms and conditions.
The chief justice asked the LDA to submit the auction report to the court, reserving the right of the final decision. Occupants/ owners of petrol pumps were also present.
The chief justice had taken notice on an application, filed by one Abdullah Malik, stating that the land was allotted at throwaway prices illegally that needed proper investigation.