LAHORE: The Supreme Court sought a report from Punjab Planning and Development Board chairman over irregularities in Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI).
The bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the orders while hearing a suo motu regarding PKLI at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry.
Earlier, an auditor submitted a report about forensic audit of the PKLI, submitting that initial cost of the project was Rs 12.7 billion but it had been increased to Rs 53 billion now.
He submitted that already Rs 20 billion had been spent over PKLI construction whereas proposal had been sent for issuance of remaining Rs 33 billion in the current fiscal year. He submitted that the project was set to be completed by December 2017 but it could not be completed yet.
He submitted that PEPRA rules were ignored and the amount was released for the PKLI construction after formation of a society for the purpose. He said no legislation was carried out neither any audit conducted.
At this, the chief justice questioned under which law the funds issued by then chief minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif to a society.
He observed that the court did not want to close the facility but an implementation committee should be formed instead of the present administration. He asked all the stakeholders to suggest names for committee members and the CEO.
The bench also expressed annoyance over appointment of a junior officer Mujahid Sher Dil on huge salary in The Infrastructure Development Authority of the Punjab (IDAP), who was responsible for construction of PKLI, and questioned under what law he was appointed.
APP