VEHARI-Corruption is allegedly at peak at the Vehari Wildlife Park where a huge amount has been embezzled under the guise of its renovation but the park is still in a shambles.
Sources said that the renovation and reconstruction of cages was made with Rs70 million, and added that the corrupt wildlife officers and clerical staff did not pay attention to its development and construction.
According to the report of Patwari of Ludden area presented to the DCO Vehari, the officers including Assistant Director Multan Mian Abbas, DO Zahid Farooq and Supervisor Mian Munir had also leased out thousands acres of pond area illegally. According to sources, DO Wildlife Zahid Farooq received kickbacks from his subordinates for allotment of residential quarters to the staff.
They said, "The birds and animals are not fed timely. The staff does not perform duties honestly in the park that is left unclean. The Newly constructed toilets have been closed and damaged while timber and other trees are illegally stolen. The contract of park canteen has been awarded without the required procedure. On the special instruction of the previous DCO, an aquarium was constructed with heavy amount but due to the staff negligence, all the fish have died."
Moreover, they said, the DO had been transferred earlier but he rejoined the duty. The citizens demanded immediate action against the accused. When contacted, Multan Wildlife Assistant Director Abbas and DO Zahid Farooq denied the allegations.