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Khurshid Shah clarifies, The News replies
Thursday, November 20, 2008
News desk
Karachi
The Press Information Department of the Government of Pakistan has responded with reference to a news item published on November 14, 2008 regarding unauthorised utilisation of electricity during the marriage ceremony of the son of Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. The PID claims that the report is simply incorrect and baseless.
“It is clarified that the news report has been published on sketchy information without verifying the facts from Federal Minister and concerned authorities i.e. DHA & KESC. It was meant only to defame the political figure of Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, whereas the fact is that an open plot adjacent to the Defence Housing Authority residence of Federal Minister was used with the permission of the Owner/ DHA for placement of wedding tents after erecting cemented boundary wall which is in accordance with the policy guideline DHA, says the PID.
The PID adds that with regards to the electricity connection, the concerned KESC authorities were approached who issued bill of temporary connection, after making advance payment of Rs6,000/- which was in line with their policy. The question of illegal connection therefore does not arise for lighting purpose.”
Our correspondent replies: The News rejects the allegation that the report was made on sketchy information. Despite repeated attempts which also included our correspondent visiting Mr Shah’s house in DHA, the minister did not make a statement on the alleged theft of power and the misuse of public funds as well as encroachment of road and empty plot.
The queries for the minister included questions about the costs for the NHA cranes and equipment used to place the slabs that made up the frame for the marriage area and who paid for these. Another question for the minister was regarding the payment for the fuel of government cars and the time of the government servants pressed into service for the arrangements of the marriage ceremony.
This was in addition to questions about how an empty plot was converted into a marriage garden, how power was allegedly stolen and how a DHA road was lit up with private light buntings which were kept alight for a week.
The News contacted the DHA which said it had no comment. A call was made to the Vigilance Section who said that the matter was with the higher ups. Repeated calls were made to the head of vigilance, Colonel Nizami, which were never returned. Office of the DHA administrator was also called but it is believed that he was out of the city. The News wanted to ask the DHA how an empty plot was allowed to be converted into a marriage area while DHA bye-laws do not allow this. Further questions for the DHA were how the minister was allowed to place poles and electricity decorations on a main road of the DHA and under which bye-laws this was allowed.
Finally, the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) was called where The News spoke to Director Corporate Communications Ayesha Erabie. She was asked what action was being taken against the alleged power theft being conducted by the minister and her response was that she would check and get back. However, soon after her mobile phone was switched off. The next day, again The News talked to Ms Erabie who said that investigations were under way. At no point in the first week did KESC say that any temporary connection was issued by it.
SOURCES:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=147900
