ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed the commission to complete its forensic report on Rs20 billion of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) and directed NAB to associate its two investigators for assistance of the commission and warned them not to harass anyone.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took up the matter at the Supreme Court Lahore registry. As the proceedings commenced, Dr. Saeed Akhtar, KPLI head, also appeared before the court. CJP Nisar observed that he personally would apologize if anyone was hurt. “We never want to hurt anyone. It’s a really appreciating that you left the US and came back to Pakistan, the court fully acknowledged your abilities and services but we just want the accountability of the public money,” the CJP remarked while addressing Dr Akhtar.
“We (the court) are not doubting you; we just want to check the use of public money there and we are also not interested in your salary,” the CJP further remarked. Dr Akhtar said that it was 15.5 billion. However, the CJP asked the PKLI head to recheck the figure as it was exactly Rs19.5 billion the government spent on the project.
Meanwhile, the commission made by the top court to hold forensic audit of the amount allocated for PKLI, submitted its report and said it found discrepancies in financial affairs of the institute. The commission comprising Kaukab Jamal Zubairi said the approved contract of PKLI was Rs13 billion and according to the finance department of the institute it was increased to Rs19.05 billion whereas government documents explained it to be Rs19.50billion and Infrastructure and development Authority Punjab (IDAP) was expecting it to be increased to Rs23 billion.
