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(National): 969 accused involved in corruption still absconding: Report

Karachi:The number of absconders involved in corruption is 969 whereas 84 FIRs have been registered against those involved in the corruption while 27 accused were arrested, according to a report issued by Anti-Corruption Department on Sunday.

A total of 1,487 challans were filed against those involved in corruption and the number of ongoing cases is 1480, said the report submitted to Provincial Minister for Anti-Corruption Jam Ikramullah Dharejo. The report says the Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh has received a total of 400 applications against corruption petitions till August 31, 2020.

According to details, 28 applications were received in Karachi’s South Zone, 69 in West Zone, 49 in East Zone, 43 in Hyderabad Zone, 18 in Jamshoro Zone, 17 in Mirpurkhas Zone, 116 in Shaheed Benazirabad Zone, 3 in Sukkur Zone and 57 in Larkana Zone. There are currently 504 open inquiries out of which 52 inquiries have been finalized. The report further said that Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh took effective action against corruption and arrested influential accused as well.

Among them are Assistant Commissioner Latifabad Ejaz Ahmed Halepto and others who misappropriated government land worth Rs 30 crore, Assistant District Education Officer Matiari Mohammad Siddique Shahani and others who made illegal appointments in the Education Department, on illegal registration of vehicles in the Excise Department, Excise and Taxation Officer Pervez Rana and others involved, Medical Superintendent Civil Hospital Jackabad Dr. Ghazanfar Ali Bugti and others involved in embezzlement of medicines and funds, DMC West Karachi Chairman Izharuddin and others involved in fraud of Rs 50 million in local government and Dr Ali Hakro involved in embezzlement of Rs 738 million in funds in Sindh University have been arrested while action has been initiated against Vice Chancellor Sindh University Dr Fateh Muhammad Barfat and 66 others.

The report further said that after receiving complaints of corruption, the offices of Local Government, Works and Services, Fisheries, Public Health Engineering, Health, Agriculture, Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training, Irrigation, KDA etc. were raided and relevant records were seized.

According to the report, regular meetings of officers are being held under the chairmanship of Chairman Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh to work out a strategy to eradicate corruption from the province and review the performance of officers. It has been decided to make the legal wing of the Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh more active. Dharejo while expressing satisfaction over the report expressed hope that they would further improve their performance and ensure eradication of corruption from the province on priority basis.