Senator Palwasha Khan Accuses FIA and NCCIA of Corruption, Calls for NAB Involvement
ISLAMABAD: During a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privileges, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan leveled accusations of corruption against the Federal Investigatio
ISLAMABAD: During a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privileges, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan leveled accusations of corruption against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). She urged that all inquiries related to illegal land allotments be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Corruption: Senate Meeting Insights
The remarks were made during a session chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, where Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa provided updates on the authority's operations. He informed the committee that the CDA's land records had been scanned through the Punjab Land Revenue Authority and emphasized that the authority is committed to pursuing pending court cases with professionalism. Randhawa assured the committee that the CDA would comply with court decisions and highlighted the authority's accountability in the event of proven misconduct.
Several allotment cases were discussed, with each farmhouse allotment valued at approximately Rs1.5 billion. Senator Rubina Khalid criticized the CDA for neglecting its responsibilities toward affected citizens. In response, Randhawa noted the ongoing computerization of land records and confirmed that the CDA would expedite any court proceedings relevant to corruption allegations involving its employees, which are being forwarded to the FIA.
Questions Raised by Senators
During the session, Senator Khalid raised concerns regarding a specific plot that had reportedly been transferred five times within the CDA office, a situation that officials struggled to clarify. Senator Mehdi questioned the implications for the fifth buyer of the plot amid ongoing legal disputes. In light of the allegations against the FIA, Senator Palwasha asserted, "The FIA is itself corrupt, and the NCCIA is no different," insisting on fully transferring inquiry cases to NAB for comprehensive investigation.
Randhawa affirmed that the CDA was prepared to provide necessary records to NAB, despite Senator Saadia Abbasi's concerns regarding the appropriateness of referring a case currently under judicial review.
Allegations and Committee Responses
Senator Palwasha further alleged that numerous junior CDA employees had been unjustly terminated, prompting the committee to request thorough documentation of all cases involving fraudulent plot allotments and transfers. The committee's chairman instructed Randhawa to ensure that all relevant documents are provided promptly.
In addition to land allotment issues, the committee members also raised complaints regarding accommodations in the Parliament Lodges. Randhawa assured members that he would personally visit the lodges to address their concerns.
