SC directs NAB to submit Punjab companies scandal report within 10 days

LAHORE: Supreme Court on Sunday forwarded a case regarding alleged corruption in 56 Punjab public-sector companies to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

As per the details, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed the suo motu hearing of the Punjab companies scandal at the Lahore registry of the apex court and ordered sought a report into the case within 10 days.

During the hearing, the chief justice said the construction contracts of Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), Fast Track and other projects were given to the same contractor.

He also ordered the heads of the 56 public companies to return the amount they had received in addition to their original pay scale. “We will make sure everyone returns the money,” he said.

The CJP expressed resentment at the CEO of Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) and asked him what experience he had, considering that the latter was drawing a salary of Rs1.1 million.

“Nobody is concerned that this is the tax money of citizens,” the chief justice remarked, ordering all CEOs, drawing salaries above Rs300,000, to appear before the accountability watchdog.

“Money should be taken back from them and used for the construction of dams,” said Justice Nisar and directed NAB to submit a report into the case within 10 days. “NAB can file a reference in the case if needed.”

On April 28, the top court had ordered the heads of the 56 public companies, which are being investigated over a corruption probe, to draw salaries as per their pay scale.

The top judge had remarked that the heads of the companies must draw salaries as per their respective civil servant roles, adding that they should return the amount that was more than their original pay scandal.

“The companies were made to award relatives,” observed the CJP. “Billions of rupees were spent but there is not a single drop of water available for people. We won’t allow any person to use tax money,” he had said.