Massive financial scandal unearthed: Millions misappropriated from Employees’ Pension Fund at Gomal University D. I. Khan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Oct 12 (SABAH): Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is embroiled in a massive pension fraud scandal, with allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds coming to light. The scandal has raised serious concerns, prompting calls to action from various government agencies and officials. Employees’ pension fund, GP fund, benevolent fund, and House Building fund have all been reportedly affected by fraudulent activities orchestrated by the university administration over different periods. Furthermore, it has come to light that the development fund and the miscellaneous fund were not spared from these illicit practices.
According to source report based on available record, it has been revealed that a staggering Rs 178.933 million from the Pension and GP Fund, Rs 120.778 million from the Development Fund, Rs 2.545 million from the Benevolent Fund (intended for orphans, poor, and widows), Rs 3.868 million from the House Building Fund, and Rs 28.432 million from the Miscellaneous Fund have been misappropriated. Shockingly, millions of rupees were illegally borrowed in 41st meeting held on 24.09.1995 , 44th meeting held on 23.10.1996, 45th meeting held on 24.06.1997, 47th meeting held on 20-21 October 1998, 48th meeting held on 15.12.1998 of the Syndicate to cover university salaries and lavish expenditures, raising serious questions about the institution’s financial management. The scandal has further exposed the credibility of the university administration, including PVC Shakeeb Ullah, whose claims of transparent financial practices have been proven to be false.
In response to these revelations, an appeal has been made to the Auditor General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Anti-Corruption department, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and the Finance Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take immediate notice of the situation and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Instead of understanding and resolving the pension issues for which Pensioners are in continuous protest, the acting director finance of the varsity has proposed the recommendations to temporary stoppage of Family Pension, Medical Allowance, and Ordinance Allowance for the pensioners that will further increase the distress faced by retired employees.
Surprisingly, these proposals have been approved during 62nd meeting of the Finance and Planning (F&P) committee, in the presence of Deputy Secretary (a nominee of Secretary Finance to Government of KP) Ms. Aneela Fahim, raising concerns about the competency of the Govt. officials. Further, on the same day 10.09.2023, in presence of nominees of (HED, Finance, Establishment and HEC), upon these submitted recommendation a committee has been constituted in the convener ship of Prof. Zahid Awan (self-notified DEAN) to draw an implementation plan over it.
The situation has raised questions about the competence and integrity of the university administration and its financial management, leading to widespread outrage among pensioners and the public. As the scandal continues to unravel, it remains to be seen how the authorities and relevant agencies will respond to these allegations of fraud and corruption at Gomal University.