Auditor General Office (AGO) observed that Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF) has been facing Rs 1 billion loss due to abandoning its housing schemes and abnormal concessions to Foundation's employees.
"None of the housing schemes have been completed for overseas Pakistanis to a point where construction of houses can start even though the Foundation has been working on these projects for the last two decade," Director General Federal Audit told the sub committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday.
He further said, "Only 1,596 plots out of a total number of 6,678 plots are available for allotment in various housing schemes of the Foundation in the last 20 years and some of the housing schemes have been abandoned by the management as a result of which Rs 718.78 million are stuck."
The committee directed the Secretary Amjad Ali Khan to hold an inquiry to look into why the interest of overseas Pakistanis was not kept supreme by OPF. Employees of the OPF were getting abnormal concessions as compared to Overseas Pakistanis both in the matter of housing schemes and educational institutions.
In housing schemes, 140 plots of 1000 square yards, 600 square yards and 350 square yards were allotted to officers and employees of the OPF in the scheme at the rate of Rs 375,000, Rs 225,000 and Rs 131,250 respectively as against the rates of Rs 930,000, Rs 560,000 and Rs 330,000 charged to Overseas Pakistanis, which were almost double.
The committee observed that abnormal concession to employees of OPF and with no control over the management of various social welfare projects total loss amounted to Rs 290.761 million.
Audit report explains, "In the absence of a rational yardstick to establish housing colonies, schools and colleges or eye hospitals at various places, the management used discretionary powers that resulted in neglected areas of overseas Pakistanis concentration which sustained financial losses of Rs 290.761". Amjad Ali Khan did not contest the objections raised by audit in committee meeting but assured the parliamentarians that he would conduct a comprehensive inquiry in 4 weeks and submit a report. He acknowledged mismanagement and irregularities showed in the audit report.
According to audit, Board of Governors of OPF has exhibited a sustained focus on facilitating the employees of the Foundation rather than attending to the needs of Pakistanis living abroad. Federal government launched these welfare schemes in recognition of the services rendered by the overseas Pakistanis by sending remittances. Other objectives were to boost the foreign exchange reserves, strengthen the economy, encourage them to invest in their homeland and fulfil their housing needs.
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