Housing ministry sacks official in illegal allotments case

ISLAMABAD: A case of illegal allotments of 915 government houses in the State Office has surfaced. 

The Ministry of Housing and Construction has dismissed Estate Office Islamabad Deputy Director Muhammad Ayub.

He was punished in the light of a departmental inquiry. Deputy Secretary Admin Adnan Rasheed was the inquiry officer. After the approval of Federal Housing and Construction Secretary Dr. Shahzad Khan Bangash, Deputy Secretary Saeed Ahmed Malik issued a formal notification of dismissal. He has been given the right to appeal against the decision within 30 days.

The inquiry report revealed that Deputy Director Muhammad Ayub had allotted 915 government houses during the period from 18 April 2023 to 20 August 2023, while he did not have the authority. The allotment was made by him using the powers of Estate Management DG which he was not authorised.

Muhammad Ayub, in response to the show cause notice, said that he was given the charge of DG Estate, so he performed his duty and did not harm anyone. The inquiry committee termed his reply unsatisfactory and incorrect. They declared him guilty of misconduct.

The inquiry report said that Muhammad Ayub was misusing the power of head of department (DG Office). He did not appear for the personal hearing on January 23 and sent a medical certificate. The ministry refused to accept it because the management of PIMS Hospital said that rest for more than three days was not advised on an OPD slip, rather it required the approval of a consultant. The ministry gave Mohammad Ayub a final opportunity on January 29 to appear so that the High Court’s decision could be implemented. He did not appear after which he was dismissed from service.