Senate ensuring that its employees’ houses are ‘clean’

NAB directed to probe irregularities in Senate Employees Cooperative Housing Society, report in 15 days

Senate Standing Committee for Housing has asked National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe irregularities in Senate Employees Cooperative Housing Society and submit report within 15 days.

Former Senator Azam Khan Swati had written to NAB in 2011, pointing out several irregularities and misappropriations in the Senate Employees Cooperative Housing Society, and asked it that the matter should be investigated. The NAB opened an investigation against the accused in 2011 but it was not finalised till date.

The standing committee meeting led by Senate Chairman Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari was held in the Parliament House Thursday while National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah besides other members of committee and NAB officials attended the meeting.

The committee was informed that laws were made under the Operational Cooperative Act and committee consists of senate’s employees only. It was further told that that the committee could not advertise until it purchases land. Consequently, the committee asked NAB to probe this matter and submit report within 15 days.

Moreover, the committee has issued directives to hold election in cooperative society while members will be informed of it.

On other hand, NAB officials have revealed that, investigation of the housing society is in progress, so couldn’t share any information with committee yet, however, the matter will sent to court of law soon.

Senate Employees Cooperative Housing Society, that is located Lohi Ber, Zone IV, was launched in 1996, however, it could not be completed after the passage of 18 years.

The society had not required land mandatory to get no objection certificate (NOC) and for approval of Layout Plan (LOP) from the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA). Under the rules, any society needed 1,500 kanals of land to get NOC from ICT Administration.

The management of the society is facing allegations of buying land at lower rates and purchasing it to the members at exorbitant rates.

Furthermore, 94 kanals of land for society was purchased at higher rates without the approval of the general body of the society that was mandatory.

Another violation is that a number of Senators and MNAs were made members of the society ignoring the fact that society had been launched for the employees of the Senate only. In addition to that, the society had land in scattered forms and that is also against the rules.