NAB initiates probe into EOBI, Bahria Town deal

NAB initiates probe into EOBI, Bahria Town deal

Approval of the agreement was illegal: Col Tariq

 

Rawalpindi July 03

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated probe into recent real estate deal between Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) andBahria Town.

In the mega deal worth billions, EOBI purchased 321 kanals of disputed land from Bahria Town in violation of rules and regulations.

The Defence Housing Authority Islamabad (DHAI) endorsed the deal despite having powers to turn it down on legal grounds.

Lt. Col. M Tariq Kamal (Retired) who is former Director Engineering DHA Islamabad, objected to the deal and forwarded complaints to NAB and all other concerned authorities.

In his applications, he stated that a disputed piece of land cannot be sold to another government institution which is violation of rules and regulations including DHA Ordinance.

In this connection, on Monday (July 02) Colonel (Retd) Subh Sadiq of NAB Rawalpindi summoned Col. Tariq and discussed the issue in detail. He asked Col. Tariq to provide technical details and map of the land. Later he deputed Investigation Officer Iqbal Qasmi to initiate investigations.

Col. Tariq informed the NAB officials that the land in question originally belonged to Commoners Town. The administration of Commoners Town gave that land to DHAI in 2004. DHAI illegally transferred that land to Bahria Town in 2009 and now Bahria Town has sold it to EOBI on exorbitant price.

Col. Tariq further said that under the law DHAI was part of the process and authority for approval of deal lies with them while the financial benefit of the deal went straight to the Bahria Town.

He mentioned that Bahria Town was not the legitimate owner of the land therefore it cannot sell the property. Moreover, the matter regarding illegitimate land transfer was pending in the court of law.

In fact, the DHAI gave 400 kanals of land to Bahria Town in 2009, now they have sold 321 kanals to EOBI and preparing to sell remaining 79 kanals to another government department which will be unlawful, the former DHAI official informed NAB investigators.

NAB has assured to probe the matter on merit and bring culprits to the book.

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Lt. Col. M Tariq Kamal (Retired)

Former Director Engineering DHA Islamabad, Cell: 0300-8542971. Res: 051-5152157.

Address: 10-C, Tariq Lane, Tulsa Raod, Lalazar, Rawalpindi.

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CJP asked to take note of mismanagement in EOBI

Lt. Col. M Tariq Kamal. Former Director Engineering DHA Islamabad, Cell: 0300-8542971. Res: 051-5152157. Address: 10-C, Tariq Lane, Tulsa Raod, Lalazar, Rawalpindi.

CJP asked to take note of mismanagement in EOBI

EOBI becomes partner in DHA, Bahria Town plunder: Col Tariq

Islamabad: June 01

Former Director Engineering DHA Islamabad Lt. Col. M Tariq Kamal (Retired) has asked the Chief Justice Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take note of massive irregularities in the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) before it goes bankrupt.

EOBI top officials after plundering the national wealth to the tune of billions have now joined hands with Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Bahria Town in a bid to get billionaire overnight, he said.

Col Tariq said that he has already informed army chief, NAB, FIA, police, and all other related institutions about corrupt practices but to no avail.

Later, he said, he invoked the Islamabad High Court about the shady deal between the DHA and  Bahria Town in which the formed gifted 400 kanals of precious land to the later illegally, free of cost and without getting any assurance.

Subsequently, the IHC in February 2012 vide order number 419/2012 ordered the police to register a FIR against the accused, initiate investigations and inform court. However the police did not moved despite judicial orders.

Col Tariq said that now Malik Riaz of Bahria Town has sold 312 kanals of disputed land to EOBI for Rs 16 billion. Those who are involved in this deal include the administration of DHA, Bahria Town and Chairman EOBI Zafar Iqbal Gondal who is younger brother of Federal Minister Nazar Gondal, he said.

Surprisingly, EOBI was in so haste to buy land at double the market price that it ignored all the formalities that also included DHA Ordinance and directives of Ministry of Human Resource Development under which it is works.

He said that EOBI has made many shady deals which have put a questions mark on the survival of the institution which has remained self-sufficient and which is supposed to keep the interests of over five million retired labourers, orphans and widows.

The other issues in the EOBI such as making rash investments, purchasing disputed properties and banglows, awarding contract at higher rates, over payments, financial irregularities, hiding accounts and deals from auditors, abnormal fluctuations in profits, payments made in the names of consultancy, legal and professional fees, high repair maintenance cost, bad debt expenses, management and operating expenses etc. merit a thorough probe, he demanded.

“Only independent judiciary can probe the matter on merit and bring to book those who benefitted from the deal between DHA, EOBI and Bahria Town in which unbelievably exorbitant price was paid,” said Col Tariq.

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