LAHORE– Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has registered a case against former Director General Mines and Minerals Zafar Javed, Deputy Director Rashid Lateef, Manager Rafiullah Khan, Manager Rizwan Saqib Bajwa, Geologist Usman Ali and contractor Mukhtar Ahmad.
These officers were involved in illegally digging out gold from Indus River, misuse of powers and damage the national exchequer.
According to details, Director General ACE received complaints that the officers of Mines and Minerals Punjab by violating rules and regulations have illegally created of new zone for gravel and sand on Indus River.
On which DG ACE directed Regional Director Rawalpindi to inquire into the matter. During the inquiry, the matter revealed that the officers of Mineral department gave permission to create new zone for gravel and sand on such place where the gold particles found.
The contractor company by joining hands with functioneries of Mines and Mineral Department obtained contract of the newly created zone apparently for extraction of sand and gravel but in violation of rules and regulations, the contractor company subsequently started extraction of placer gold at the site and cause loss billions of rupees to the government exchequer.
It is worth mentioning that officers of mine and mineral department awarded contract to Haihong Super Pak Pvt Ltd in ten crore rupees whereas the reserve price of the same was thirty crore thirty lakh rupees.
DG ACE has constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Technical to further investigate the matter.— PRESS HANDOUT
