SC expresses annoyance over transferring of EOBI funds to Bait-ul-Maal, flood victims

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed annoyance over transferring of Employees Old-age Benefits Institution (EOBI) funds to Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, earthquake and flood victims, and directed to return the funds.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard the suo moto notice case regarding EOBI employees pension issues.

The court ordered to pay the pensions of retired employees by returning the properties purchased on higher prices by EOBI. The court directed to rectify all the faulty ATMs of concerned banks and sought progress report on next date of hearing.

Justice Azmat Saeed remarked that Rs 1.5 billion had been withdrawn from EOBI accounts and inquired why that amount had not yet been returned to EOBI.

During the hearing, the law officer of Bait-ul-Maal appeared before the bench to whom the court asked whether he was Supreme Court lawyer however the young law officer could not answer.

He asked the law officer why he had appeared before the court without having licence of Supreme Court.

He remarked that instead of returning Rs one billion, Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal had sent a law officer who had no knowledge about the case.

He asked why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against the head of Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal.

He asked why the case should not be referred to the National Accountability Bureau for investigation as to why amount of poor pensioners was transferred to flood victims.

The court directed EOBI to return the Rs 1.5 billion till next hearing and adjourned the case till March 15.