PRESIDENT ALVI DIRECTS CDNS TO REIMBURSE RS 1.2 MILLION TO FEMALE FRAUD VICTIM

President Dr Arif Alvi has directed the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) to reimburse an amount of Rs 1.2 million with profit to a female citizen whose money was fraudulently withdrawn from her account by issuing a fictitious cheque book and affixing her fake signatures on the withdrawal slip. He also asked CDNS to refer the matter to FIA for proper investigation so that the delinquent officials of CDNS involved in the scam may be brought to book and punished. 

The President issued these directions while deciding on a representation filed by CDNS (the Agency) against the decision of the Wafaqi Mohtasib directing CDNS to refer the matter to FIA for thorough investigation. As per details, Mst Abida Riffat (the complainant) had alleged that she was maintaining a Pensioners Benefit Account with CDNS in Rawalpindi. She found out in 2021 that an amount of Rs 1.2 million had been fraudulently withdrawn from her account in 2019 through another cheque book which was never issued to her. 

She lodged a complaint with CDNS for investigation and recovery of her defrauded amount, but the matter was investigated in a superfluous manner and she was informed that she could not produce any evidence in support of her claim. Feeling aggrieved, she approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib which asked CDNS to investigate the matter through FIA. CDNS then filed a representation with the President against the Mohtasib’s decision. The President in his decision observed that CDNS in its letter dated 28.12.2021 had admitted that Rs 1.2 million were withdrawn from her account through fake transaction on 23.05.2019 by affixing fake signature on withdrawal slip. 

He further noted that during an internal inquiry conducted by CDNS, an officer had given a statement in which he alleged that the disputed amount was fraudulently misappropriated by gunman and the cashier and the Agency had not associated the said officials in the inquiry proceedings. This, he added, depicted that the process of inquiry was not transparent and CDNS was opposing the entrustment of the matter to FIA without any justification. The President concluded that the Wafaqi Mohtasib had rightly observed that the matter of fraudulent withdrawal of amount had not been properly investigated and directed it to refer the matter to FIA. He upheld the Mohtasib’s decision with the direction to CDNS to submit compliance report to Mohtasib within 30 days.

PRESIDENT ZARDARI AGREED FOR UTILIZING LEFTOVER RELIEF FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KARACHI

President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, lauded Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, specially, Chairman, Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli for their relief and rehabilitation efforts to affectees of Ashura incident. President of Pakistan said that the two political parties of Sindh, made joint efforts and proved the fact that democracy is better than dictatorship. He was addressing at the pay-orders distribution ceremony to affectees of Bolton Markets and other markets, held on Chief Minister House, yesterday. President said that his government believes on accommodating democracy and taking forward the policy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. President, in response to the demand of Chairman, Businessmen Group and former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, announced his consent to spend the leftover amount of the Federal Government’s announced and provided relief fund of Rs.3 billion for the development of Karachi and gave instruction to concerned authorities to plan for spending the leftover fund for making green, to purchase modern technology and machinery for police and fire brigade department and for Karachi’s Disaster Management Cell, and he has no objection for utilizing the leftover fund by the present committee or by making another committee of Sindh Government with representation of Siraj Teli.

Earlier, Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, commended Karachi Affected Markets Relief Committee and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry for supporting and helping out the affectees, and said that the Government of Sindh, with a passion of service, helped the affectees for their relief and rehabilitation. Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ibad Khan said that on the instruction of Quaid-e-Tehrik, Altaf Hussain, he helped the affectees in a best way possible. Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that some people were intolerant about peace in the Sindh province, and the Ashura Incident is an act to sabotage peace, however, Government will punish such elements accordingly.
Previously, Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, for the relief and rehabilitation of victims of affected markets expressed cordial gratitude and compliments, especially to President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin, Federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, Federal Minister Dr. Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister Babar Ghouri, Provincial Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Provincial I.T. Minister, Raza Haroon and City Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal who remain engaged from the first day of the incident, in the relief activities. Siraj Teli informed that Karachi Chamber also remain steadfast in the relief and rehabilitation activities from 28th December, 2009. After the constitution of Karachi Affected Relief Committee, Chairman, Zubair Motiwala, President-KCCI, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad with KCCI’s Office Bearers and Managing Committee Members remain determined to help out and engaged in the relief and rehabilitation process till date and maintaining effective liaison with affectees and subsequently contacted the Government.

Siraj Teli appealed the President of Pakistan for directing Federal Board of Revenue for declaring immunity to the affected people with regards all kinds of taxes for at least one year, KESC & PTCL for not charging for 6 months, school and educational institution’s fee waiver for 4 months to children of affectees. Siraj Teli also appealed President of Pakistan to immediately establish a Disaster Management Cell with Sindh Government having representation of KCCI, while utilizing the leftover amount of relief fund. He said that since the total amount of claims would be approximately 1.6 billion and the Federal and Sindh Government has already set aside Rs.3.5 billion for the purpose, and he suggests and requests that the remaining amount should be kept aside for this Disaster Management Cell and be spent on improvement of fire and police departments and for the purpose of unforeseen. He also reminded all the concerned for their commitment of exposing the culprits whosoever they may be and that is the only way to stop the recurrence of such incidences.

Siraj Teli, presented a report on Bolton Market Incident to the President of Pakistan and Sindh Government whereby informing about the completion of relief work while utilizing all the available means and resources of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, its members and secretariat staff. Siraj Teli said that seven loss assessment committees comprising of the Businessmen Group’s members and KCCI’s Managing Committee members, with due diligence visited the affected markets, meticulously interviewed each and every affectee and comprehensively compiled the record while ensuring maximum transparency, performing 12 hours work daily. Siraj Teli said that over 2800 claims were filed, after examination of double and incorrect filed claimed, the scrutiny of 1600 claims completed. Initial amount of claims was Rs.3 billion, affectees after taking oath corrected their claims and the claim amount including the claim of goods, cash, and materials is around Rs.1.2 billion. For reconstruction of destroyed and dangerous declared buildings, Siraj Teli said that tenders have been invited and the approximate estimate of reconstruction is over Rs.0.5 billion. Scrutiny of claims over 1.5 million will be completed in 10 days followed by payments of claims, he added. Siraj Teli informed that the number of scrutinized claims is 1451 and the approximate claim amount is Rs.0.73 billion which is the 90 percent share of filed claims, remaining 10 percent claims number is 150 which amounts to 0.45 billion approximately. Siraj Teli highlighted that in all the relief work, efforts were made to ensure check and balance and transparency. President of Pakistan on the said occasion distributed the pay-orders amounting to Rs.12,635,000/-.