RAWALPINDI:
After assuming additional responsibilities as Director General of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak took notice of the multi-billion-rupee mega financial scandal that took place in the past.
According to officials, he has announced an agenda aimed at restoring the image of the organization through image-building initiatives, good governance, a public-friendly environment, resolution of employee issues, mandatory biometric attendance and a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and corrupt practices.
They said that after former RDA Director General Kaniza Murtaza relinquished charge on Monday, Rawalpindi Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak visited the RDA office, assumed additional charge as DG and presided over his first meeting with officers. The meeting was attended by RDA Additional Director General Muhammad Anwar Baran, all Directors, Deputy Directors, Engineers and other officials.
Addressing the meeting, the commissioner said the foremost priority was to restore the damaged credibility of the institution in a team. Image building and good governance would remain his top priorities. He directed that the citizens’ complaints should be dealt with promptly and that all pending cases should be resolved without delay. He further announced that participation of all officers and employees would now be ensured strictly through the biometric system.
The Commissioner made it clear that corruption and corrupt practices would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that a zero tolerance policy had been enforced with immediate effect. He also directed strict implementation of the Punjab government’s instructions regarding development, beautification and improvement, saying that open manholes within the RDA controlled area would not be tolerated.
Safety measures at construction sites must be ensured, he added.
He directed the Additional Director General of RDA to provide vehicles for officers and field staff and to prepare status reports for all departments.
It is pertinent to note that the former Director General of RDA Kaniza Murtaza was removed from his post by the Punjab Chief Secretary on January 31. During her tenure, over Rs2 billion was allegedly transferred from the official RDA account to the accounts of various companies and individuals through deposit receipts (CDRs). Additionally, millions of rupees were allegedly embezzled from the RDA contracts’ security account. According to the RDA rules, the signing authority in financial matters rests exclusively with DG RDA and the Director of Finance.
In this regard, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has sought details of properties owned by the former RDA DG Kaniza Murtaza, eight former DGs, the Director of Administration and Finance and a total of 48 persons from CDA Islamabad and development authorities in Lahore, Gwadar, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Malir.
Currently, the RDA faces the challenge of 143 fully operational illegal housing schemes. Meanwhile, an inquiry committee constituted by the Punjab Chief Secretary has been conducting proceedings on the financial scandal for the past ten months, but its report is yet to be made public.
