ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has issued dismissal orders of former Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) Chairman Zafar Gondal.
According to a notification issued by the prime minister house, Gondal’s dismissal orders were issued upon completion of multiple inquiries by competent officers.
“The documentary evidence against Mr Gondal is so clear and compelling that the inquiry officer is completely justified in concluding that the charges against him stand fully proved,” the notification said.
It was concluded by the inquiry officer that Gondal resorted to delaying tactics during the trial including seeking open-ended adjournments and not responding to the statement of allegations and charge sheet despite having received and acknowledged the said documents.
Upon receiving the recommendations – put forth by the inquiry officer on January 4, 2017 – the premier used his authority under the ambit of ‘Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 1973’ to conclude Gondal was guilty, beyond reasonable doubt, of ‘corruption’, ‘misconduct’ and inefficiency.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) initiated investigations against Gondal for causing a Rs44 billion loss to the national exchequer through underhand land deals. Gondal allegedly violated EOBI’s investment rules to buy land in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi at exorbitant prices. The official record suggested that the EOBI board vehemently opposed the controversial land deals.
