LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday directed the National Accountability Court (NAB) to submit a report of Punjab companies scandal within ten days.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar resumed the hearing of a suo moto case regarding the alleged corruption in 56 public-sector companies in Punjab and forwarded the case to the NAB.
Justice Saqib observed, “The construction of Orange Line Train, Fast Track and other projects were given to the same contractor.”
The CJP then ordered the heads of the companies, who were present at the moment, to return the amount they received which was more than their original pay scale.
“We will make sure everyone returns the money,” Mian Saqib remarked.
Justice Nisar angered on the CEO of Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) and asked, “You are drawing a salary of Rs1.1 million, what experience do you have?”
“Nobody is concerned that this is the tax money of citizens,” the Chief Justice remarked.
The SC then ordered all the CEOs, who are drawing salaries above Rs300,000, to appear before NAB.
Justice Saqib Nisar observed, “Money should be taken back from them and used for the construction of dams.”
Ordering the NAB to submit a report within ten days, CJP remarked that NAB can file a reference in the case if needed.
Previously, the SC had ordered the heads of the 56 public companies, which are being investigated over a corruption case, to draw salaries as per their pay scale.
CJP had remarked that the heads of the companies must draw salaries as per their respective civil servant roles. He further added that they should return the amount which was more than their original pay scandal.
