RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Director General Audit Sindh in a special audit report on the Director of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair (SMBBC) has found that the appointment of incumbent director is against the rules and regulations as she also has not required experience and other irregularities at Karachi University (KU).

The DG conducting a special audit 2009-16 regarding the director and convention centre had found the appointment of the director Sahar Gul Bhatti against the rules, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister House here on Wednesday.

The report says that an advertisement of the post dated January 18, 2015 was found but there was no list of number of applicants or shortlisted candidates even there was no any notification of the selection committee.

Bhatti was shortlisted but did not have 15 years teaching/research guidance experience as required in the advertisement which seemed an undue favour to the candidate.

The audit report was conducted in January, 2017. The main objectives of the audit was to review the chair’s performance against the intended objectives, to assess whether chair was managed with due regard to economy and efficiency and to review compliance with applicable rules, regulations and procedures. The audit was conducted in accordance with the INTOSAI Auditing Standards.

Sindh government established Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair and Convention Center Karachi University in 2008. The chair aimed at undertaking the research on the Vision and Mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The institute would be providing education through designing multidisciplinary courses, short and long as portrait by utilizing Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s precious political thought academically such as Democracy, Peace, Development, Good Governance, Poverty Alleviation, Human Rights, Women’s Emancipation and development to create awareness in upcoming young generations to develop the country.

During the review of accounts of the SMBBC and Convention Center University of Karachi director for the period up to 2015-16 it was observed that supervision construction contract Rs7.936 million was awarded to M/s Shahzad Associates for supervision consultancy against the provision at two percent of the contract cost of Rs5.290 million in P.C.I.

Hence excess rate at one percent of Rs2.646 million over and above the provision of P.C.I was allowed/ awarded without approval of competent forum. The auditor general has recommended detailed inquiry into the matter.

During the audit it was observed that the funds of Rs6.150 million were drawn from assignment account and deposited into university account to avoid lapse of funds which is illegal.

The report also says that a vehicle was purchased for Rs788 million during ban period without approval of the chief minister. Also approval of external bill for advance payment was not found for audit.

Other irregularities had also been found. The auditor had recommended necessary action and further inquiry.