An accountability court in Peshawar has taken decisive action in the ongoing investigation into the Peshawar BRT Scandal, freezing 75 bank accounts belonging to contractors involved in the project. Additionally, the court has ordered the sale of two commercial plots owned by the contractors, further intensifying efforts to address alleged corruption surrounding the high-profile project.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), tasked with probing the Peshawar BRT scandal, has been pursuing legal action against individuals implicated in financial irregularities related to the project. NAB lawyers informed the court that the bureau’s director-general had authorized the freezing of bank accounts and the sale of assets owned by the contractors.
Despite the completion of the Peshawar BRT project, ongoing financial discrepancies have raised significant concerns. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government continues to allocate substantial subsidies, amounting to over Rs3 billion annually, towards the BRT system. Last year, a fare increase of Rs5 further underscored the financial strains associated with the project.
The Peshawar BRT scandal has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, prompting rigorous scrutiny from NAB and other oversight bodies. An audit report revealed irregularities amounting to billions of rupees, with expenditures exceeding approved budgets and questionable financial practices prevalent throughout the project’s execution.
The audit report highlighted unauthorized payments, unaccounted dues to contractors, and various administrative discrepancies, suggesting widespread embezzlement totaling approximately Rs50 billion. These revelations have underscored the urgent need for accountability and transparency in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Legal proceedings surrounding the Peshawar BRT scandal have faced scrutiny, with the Supreme Court recently overturning a Peshawar High Court judgment directing NAB’s involvement in the investigation. The decision reflects broader concerns about the efficacy of oversight mechanisms and the need for robust measures to combat corruption in public projects.
The unfolding developments in the Peshawar BRT scandal highlight the complex interplay between accountability, governance, and public trust. As investigations continue and legal proceedings progress, stakeholders remain vigilant in their pursuit of justice and transparency, seeking to address systemic flaws and safeguard public resources from exploitation.