Islamabad: Supreme Court Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has left for Balakot to review the rehabilitation work after hearing of the alleged embezzlement of billions of dollars financial assistance extended by the international community for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 2005 earthquake survivors.

The interior ministry officials informed the top court that the government had received 2.89 billion dollars as financial assistance extended by the international community.

However, the petitioner raised objection over the inclusion of 55 billion into the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The Justice Nisar stated many Generals joined ERRA on deputation, adding the use of quake victims’ fund for other issues is a crime.

The CJP remarked during the suo motu hearing against alleged embezzlement in the 2005 earthquake funds. A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case.

During the hearing, an official of the finance ministry informed the court that 2.89 billion dollars were received in term of financial assistance, adding the ministry doesn’t have rest of the details.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said as per ERRA officials the funds were received by the government and its only responsibility was to ensure implementation of the rehabilitation projects.

The chief justice remarked the government’s handling of funds has many complications. The court wants to know the actual financial assistance, the chief justice remarked.

The petitioner informed the apex court that in 1985 the ERRA had 85 billion in its account and later, 55 billion was transferred to the account of BISP.

The petitioner further informed the top court that as many as 3.6 billion dollars were collected at the international conference held to collect donations for the rehabilitation of the quake victims.

The CJP remarked ERRA officials hired their relatives, adding that even generals arrived on deputation. The ERRA has so far received Rs290.85 billion, the court was informed.