Honoraria from WB loan: High-level probe seeks disciplinary action against PPRA officials

ISLAMABAD: A high-level probe ordered by the prime minister into multiple allegations against employees of PPRA, including payment of honorarium out of the World Bank-funded project, EPADS (E-Pak Acquisition & Disposal System), confirmed The News story and recommended disciplinary proceedings against the concerned officials.

The fact-finding committee, which was set up to probe the matter, also sought recovery of millions of rupees paid to the PPRA officials as honorarium. Following The News story: “Cabinet Division takes notice of honoraria paid to PPRA officials from WB loan” published on August 10, the PM had set up a probe committee under Chairman Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) Brig (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha. Members of the fact-finding committee include Member PMIC, Special Secretary Commerce Division, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division, Additional Secretary Finance Division and Director Legal PPRA.

The terms of reference of the committee include; i) To probe all aspects of allegations/complaints regarding embezzlement, misuse of authority and corruption in PPRA. ii) Inquire about the honorarium given during FY 2020-21 to 2023-24 to employees of PPRA deputed on various assignments related to project operations.

According to official sources, the committee has submitted its report to the prime minister and confirmed that the payment of honorarium from the World Bank project loan to PPRA officials was irregular. The committee sought action against concerned PPRA officials under the Efficiency and Disciplinary Rules. It was also recommended that the World Bank project money, paid as an honorarium to PPRA officials, should be recovered. The committee was not satisfied with the response of PPRA over the payment of millions of rupees as an honorarium to its officials from the World Bank project loan.

Following The News story of 10th August, the PPRA management had conveyed to the PM’s Office that the project EPADS was launched with the financial assistance of World Bank as part of one of the six pillars of Public Financial Management Reform Strategy (2017-2028). The PPRA had admitted that during the financial year 2020-21 to 2023-24, an amount of Rs74.8 million was disbursed on payment of honorarium to employees of the PPRA deputed on various assignments related to project operations.

It was claimed that the PPRA employees were deputed on project assignments keeping in view the shortage of staff for the project. It was said that seven project employees were working out of the sanctioned strength of 24. The PM Office was also told that the total cost of the project was Rs12.5 billion. Expenditures till mid-Aug were Rs450 million, due payments were Rs550 million, the total expected cost was Rs1 billion and the expected saving was Rs11.5 billion. The fact-finding committee did not agree with the viewpoint of PPRA regarding payment of honorarium.