HAFIZABAD - Former Pindi Bhattian Tehsil Nazim Mian Ansar Abbas Bhatti, who along with 20 officials has been involved in the biggest scam in the history of Hafizabad district and has been declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Anti-Corruption Department, has left the PML-Q and joined the ruling PML-N 'apparently' in a bid to save his skin.
According to ACE sources, the former Tehsil Nazim along with the then Tehsil Municipal Officers - Bashir Zaidi and Waqas Hussain Kazmi, Cashier Azhar Hussain, Accountant Rana Iqbal, Sub-Engineers Fayyaz Chattha, Riaz Ahmad, Tanveer Irshad and Khalid Hussain, Contractors Babar Ghuman, Nasir Abbas, Rai Mansib and others had allegedly withdrawn Rs139.8 million through 573 cheques and misappropriated the government funds. Subsequently a criminal case was registered against them after a thorough inquiry into the allegations. After which three TMOs, three Sub-Engineers and six others were arrested and the main accused (ex-Tehsil Nazim) and 8 others were declared Proclaimed Offenders, who could not be arrested due to their political influence.
According to sources privy to the development, the main accused with the cooperation of the local PML-N leadership, was approaching the high-ups to declare him innocent by holding the inquiry afresh through an officer of their choice. The sources claimed that he (the main accused) who was in the PML-Q had quit the party and joined the PML-N in bid to get sympathies of the ruling party leaders and subsequently get a clean chit.
The local social and political circles have raised eyebrows over the ironic development and have asked the ruling party leadership to take notice of the criminals joining the party.
JAH HAFIZABAD CHIEF DIES: Al-Haj Muhammad Yaseen Bhathaywala, Patron-in-Chief Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (JAH) Hafizabad Chapter died here after brief illness. He was 85. He was nephew of Late Mian Fazal Haq, Chief of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan. His funeral was led by Sheikhul Hadith Hafiz Masood Alam of Jamia Salfia Faisalabad, was attended by a large number of provincial and central office-bearers of the Jamiat, social, political, religious workers and businessmen of the district. He was laid to rest in the Railway line graveyard here Saturday afternoon.
Scholarships: The children of in-service retired deceased handicapped employees who have obtained more than 60 per cent marks in Matric or higher classes will be provided with scholarships under the Punjab Government Servants Benevolent Fund.
The eligible students have been directed to submit their application to the District Benevolent Fund Hafizabad till February 28.