–Highway authority saves over Rs1bn in revenue, takes disciplinary action against 12pc of senior officials
–Shehzad Arbab urges govt depts involved in public service delivery to ensure placement of modern tools to eradicate corruption
ISLAMABAD: National Highway Authority (NHA) has performed ahead of all Public Sector Delivery (PSD) institutions in the Prime Minister’s 100-Day Review process by saving over Rs1 billion worth revenue and taking disciplinary action against 12 per cent of its senior officials up to grade 21, Pakistan Today has learnt.
This was revealed during a high-level meeting to evaluate the performance of PSD departments chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister on Establishment Mohammad Shehzad Arbab.
The meeting reviewed the government’s anti-corruption drive as part of its 100-day agenda and was attended by secretaries and representatives of NHA, the ministries of Interior, Communications, Overseas Pakistanis, Petroleum Division, Power Division, Housing and Works; Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
“Out of all the institutions, NHA topped in terms of revenue collection by collecting Rs8.1 billion from November 2017 to November 2018. The NHA during the period from November 2016-2017 had collected a revenue of Rs6.9 billion,” sources told Pakistan Today.
“The revenue was collected from toll collection, the right of ways and traffic police fines. The increase in revenue was recorded at 18.5 per cent as compared to last year.”
Ministry of Interior, in its report, said that it had installed a surveillance unit and an online investigation portal at the MCI and CDA to deal with corrupt practices whereas the meeting was informed that 64 officials had been identified for transfer as they had completed their respective three-year terms in the CDA, they said.
“Moreover, the meeting was told that a call centre has been established within the ministry, through which corrupt practices can be reported,” sources said, adding that the ministry’s entire record would be uploaded online through its e-office from November 30.
Addressing the meeting, Shehzad Arbab urged all government departments involved in public service delivery to ensure the placement of modern tools and apparatus to eradicate corruption from public sector entities.
The adviser said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has envisioned a zero tolerance against corrupt practices in government departments.
He directed all departments to turn to smart solutions and ensure an expeditious implementation of modern technologies like e-filing, e-billing, online procurement system, online complaint redressal while also ensuring transparent, efficient and speedy service delivery to the masses.
Rotation policy for officers and staff holding their posts for more than three years, especially those having a public interface, must be implemented in letter and spirit and be included in the department’s achievements/results in the anti-corruption drive that is to be furnished to the PM office next week, the adviser emphasised.
Referring to the ongoing countrywide anti-encroachment drive, the adviser said that strong political will of the government has been the hallmark behind the successful campaign.
Earlier, the representative briefed the meeting about their short and long-term plans to curb corrupt practices and ensure transparency as well as accountability in their respective departments.
