Shahbaz Sharif minted money through energy projects : Dr Akhtar Malik

Lahore : Provincial Minister for Energy, Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Malik has said that except 5 months there was no Energy Minister in Punjab during the last 9 years. Shahbaz Sharif kept this department with him and personally contact the contractors directly in all the projects.

He expressed his views while addressing the joint press conference with Provincial Minister Information and Culture Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari and Spokesperson to CM Punjab Dr. Shahbaz Gil. On this occasion Omar Cheema, senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was also present.

The minister stated that it was the modus operandi of the previous government to arrange the bidding of an item worth 2 crore in 15 crore through a favorite contractor who was later asked to reduce 3 crore and as a result of this game the material of 2 crore was launched in 12 crore claiming that saving of crores of rupees have been made and corruption of not a single penny can be proved.

Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik further stated that we are going to release a whitepaper on the corruption made in energy department. Among them, many cases are under investigation in NAB. Every month corruption made in a company will be exposed to the public.

He further stated that today he will expose the corruption took place in Punjab Power Development Company Ltd. This company ran the administration of the hydro, wind and clean energy projects after constructing, in Punjab. Anti Corruption and NAB have so far been proved the corruption of Rs. 35 crore rupees out of which 250 million rupees have been given to Ali Imran, son-in-law of Shahbaz Sharif, through cross cheques. NAB is also investigating other details.

He said that Naveed Akram was appointed as a Chief Accountant of this company who is in the custody of NAB now a days. Farrukh Shah was appointed as CEO of this company who later became approver. NAB has so far recovered 3 crore 49 lac and 1978 rupees. The minister while briefing about the performance of government said that energy policy is being evolved in collaboration with federal government.

He said that present government got energy department in a very bad condition. He said that work is being carried out on various people-friendly projects.  He said that we make Head Marala project functional and complete the turbine of hydro project in Pakpattan which was non-functional for last 1.5 year at a sum of Rs. 23 million instead of Rs. 90 million.

He further maintained that PTI will leave no stone unturned to provide clean and low-cost electricity to the people. He said that provision of electricity to the domestic consumer, farmers and industry is the top priority of the present government. Energy department with the cooperation of UET is going to convert public institutes like universities and hospitals on solar energy.