PPP govt launched over 50 schemes in non-transparent manner, SC told

Staff Report, Thursday, July 18, 2013, [url= http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\07\18\story_18-7-2013_pg7_8]Source[/url]

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) was informed on Wednesday that more than 50 development schemes were launched by the previous government in a non-transparent manner as there was no mechanism of giving discretionary funds to the parliamentarians.

A three-member bench of the court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard a suo motu case, notice of which was taken on a news report in Daily Times.

According to the report, former PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had doled out billions of rupees in form of development funds 10 days after having completed his tenure in office.

In pursuance of the court’s earlier direction, Attorney General Munir A Malik informed the court that there was no mechanism of awarding discretionary funds to the parliamentarians. He also said that discretionary powers should be used fairly and honesty. He said that funds from the collective exchequer could only be used after approval by the National Assembly.

Malik stated that a sum of Rs 22 billion had been allocated as PM’s discretionary fund during the regime of previous government which was later raised to Rs 52 billion without any lawful authority. The chief justice observed that during election days, a large number of development schemes were launched but they were not completed. He said that after the 18th Amendment, development work was the responsibility of provinces instead of the federation. He also said that the court was emphasising on holding local government elections, adding that the federal government should have confidence in provinces.

During the hearing, the Audit director general informed the court that around Rs 37.8 billions were distributed among the Pakistan People’s Party and its allies. The court later adjourned the hearing until today (Thursday).