DND Report: A clandestine network involving the alleged seizure of properties belonging to the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees in Peshawar and the facilitation of Pakistani citizenship for Afghan nationals in exchange for large sums of money has reportedly been uncovered. The network has links to JUIF and its leadership, according to local media reports.
Media reports have raised several questions, including how key government properties belonging to the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees remained under the control of close associates of Fazl-ur-Rehman during the PDM government’s tenure—a period when a dangerous scheme was allegedly underway to facilitate Pakistani citizenship for Afghan nationals in exchange for substantial payments.
In the past, several journalists raised concerns about widespread corruption during the PDM government’s tenure, but the influence of the political elite reportedly kept such stories under wraps. DND News Agency also published a number of reports about alleged corruption during the PDM era. However, all efforts by the media appeared to go in vain, as no action was taken against those allegedly involved in corruption.
Now, what is being described as credible data about JUIF’s alleged corruption is surfacing, raising serious questions about the misuse of public funds and government properties.
One such issue concerns the use of government bungalows Nos. 4 and 5 in Hayatabad Phase 5, which were reportedly utilised by JUIF leaders, including Qari Rauf, Qari Hayatullah, Mamoon Ahmed Jan, and a brother-in-law of Zia-ur-Rehman.
According to reports described as verified, these very government bungalows served as transit points for facilitating the acquisition of Pakistani identity documents and citizenship by Afghan nationals in exchange for large sums of money.
Government resources, facilities, and the administrative machinery of the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees were allegedly used for the benefit of specific individuals, reportedly acting on the directives of Fazl-ur-Rehman and his brother, Zia-ur-Rehman.
Media reports are now raising questions that Fazl-ur-Rehman must answer.
What were the actual motives behind removing Saleem Khan from his position and assigning additional charge to Abbas Khan? Did this administrative reshuffle pave the way for illegal activities?
Sources further indicate that Fazl-ur-Rehman’s political influence was allegedly exploited to secure extraordinary access to government institutions and resources.
Fazl-ur-Rehman must also address another set of questions:
Why should there not be a comprehensive investigation into the ownership, allotment, and use of these bungalows, as well as the identities of the individuals who resided there?
Did his close associates facilitate an illegal network involving state properties and the granting of Pakistani citizenship to Afghan nationals?
A transparent investigation into the matter is essential. The records of the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees must be examined, and the relevant officers and officials held accountable if found involved in wrongdoing. Furthermore, the concerned institutions should present the facts before the public to establish who was responsible for the alleged misuse of government properties and the facilitation of Pakistani citizenship for Afghan nationals.
Since PDM government was headed by Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif who is again Prime Minister, therefore, today’s federal government is also preferring to keep silent on the issue of large-scale corruption of JUIF during PDM era.
