Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started four inquiries alleged billions of rupees financial irregularities and directed all Zonal Directors for prompt reporting to the head office for further action.
Available documents disclosed that one of the inquiries is about the flow of Rs 65 billion through various banks in the country, linked to suspected over invoicing in the dollar exchange rate for the issuance of Letters of Credit (LCs). The former federal finance minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, has reportedly acknowledged these irregularities.
FIA has also initiated an inquiry into the allegations of substantial irregularities surrounding the land acquisition process for the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway. More than about Rs 32 billion heavy irregularities alleged found in the land acquisition by provincial government of Sindh, through their concerned Deputy Commissioners & other officials.
Another probe has been initiated into the utilization of funds during June 2022, with a particular focus on the distribution of relief items such as tents and ration bags to the flood victims. The inquiry encompasses 103 individuals who reportedly received these items in the Sanghar and Dadu districts of Sindh province. The audit scope extends beyond Sindh to all provinces, with an intent to comprehensively assess the situation.
Furthermore, the FIA has alunched inquiry into the alleged distribution of expired flour across the country, including the unaccounted loss of 18 lakh flour bags in Punjab. This inquiry aims to shed light on the management of essential commodities and potential mismanagement leading to losses.
Senator Saifullah Abro, a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), filed a complaint with the committee on August 3, 2023, urging comprehensive investigations by the FIA, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and the Auditor General of Pakistan. Responding to this, the National Assembly Secretariat’s Public Accounts Committee Wing issued a memorandum dated August 4, 2023, informing relevant authorities of the Chairman PAC’s request for a comprehensive report within three working days.
In light of alleged white-collar crimes involving large financial losses, the public eagerly awaits the conclusions of these investigations as they gain steam.
