Zulfi Bukhari's resignation was not voluntary; PM forced him out

Zulfi Bukhari did not resign from his post as special assistant to the prime minister for overseas Pakistanis on his own rather he was forced by Imran Khan to tender the resignation.

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Quoting sources, 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday reported the inside story of the Ring Road project saga as it continued to unfold and reveal astonishing details every day.

According to the 24News TV channel, after receiving the inquiry report Prime Minister Imran Khan had summoned Zulfi Bukhari for an explanation but he failed to satisfy his boss in a one-on-one meeting.

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The inquiry report had identified the links between Zulfi Bukhari and Nova City.

According to the sources, the PM Office has ordered an inquiry into the Benami properties of Nova City.

The inquiry has also been ordered against Capital Smart City and New Airport Society, the sources added.

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Owners of ten housing societies including Ittihad City will also be investigated, the sources further said.

The sources divulged that the PMO has also summoned the files of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis for scrutiny.

Investigators recommended for award

The dramatic developments came amid reports that Rawalpindi Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah has recommended two of his officers who conducted the Rawalpindi Ring Road scandal inquiry and completed it in record time for civil award.

The two officers are Muhammad Zeeshan Amin and Muhammad Arif Qureshi.

“Both the officers have completed the inquiry of the Rawalpindi Ring Road by tracing all documents and information in 10 days,” the Rawalpindi Commissioner said.

Officers named

Moreover, the Punjab government has surrendered the services of the former Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division Muhammad Mahmood to the federal government for his involvement in the billion rupees scandal of Rawalpindi Ring Road. 

A day before, The Punjab government contacted the federal government and urged the federation to take stern action by suspending former commissioner Rawalpindi Capt (r) Muhammad Mahmood, former DC Attock Ali Annan Qamar and former DC Rawalpindi Capt (r) Anwar-ul-Haq.

Charge sheet

Punjab handed over the charge sheet to the federal government against the officers involved in the Rawalpindi Ring Road scandal.

The Punjab government demanded suspension of these officers and disciplinary action against them. The provincial government also demanded action against former DG RDA Abdul Sattar, who has been made OSD.

The TV channel reported that the Punjab government wrote that these officers were involved in the Rawalpindi Ring Road scandal.

The Punjab government said that former commissioner Captain (r) Muhammad Mahmood had committed corruption of billions of rupees in Rawalpindi Ring Road project.

New alignment of Ring Road begins

Rawalpindi Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah briefed Punjab Chief Secretary that as per the instructions of the Punjab Chief Minister, immediate work has started on the alignment of Rawalpindi Ring Road. 

“It is ensured that the new alignment is free from rent-seeking and tax evasion,” he added.

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The Chief Secretary Punjab directed that alternative proposals in this regard along with cost estimates should be put forward as soon as possible so that the project could be completed in record time in the public interest while remaining within the same budget. 

The decision of the new alignment has been made after Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the alleged changes in the alignment of the much-needed Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which not only increased the cost of the project by Rs25 billion but also allegedly benefited some private housing societies.
 

Reporters Ibrahim Raja and Sardar Sadaqat