20000201FIA starts probing into NHA doings

AMER SIAL

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigating Agency has started investigation of wrong doings in the National Highway Authority from the last week, it was learnt on good authority.

FIA has been directed by the government to start probe, as National Accountability Bureau has some clues of wrong doings, but solid proofs are needed to prosecute culprits. FIA is initially investigating the motorway projects but at later stages, the contracts for bridges and role of consultants would also be investigated, said sources.

The motorway projects of Islamabad-Peshawar (M-1), Faisalabad-Pindi Bhattian (M-3) and Islamabad-Murree are at present under the scrutiny of FIA, sources said. They pointed out that these contracts were awarded at the whims of previous prime minister.

Wishes of the members of the ruling party were kept in mind while drafting the route of these motorways and this in turn resulted in increasing the cost of motorway. The area around the route of Islamabad-Murree motorway is said be bought by the previous ruling elite and their cronies at cheap rates and their plan was to develop housing societies once the motorway was completed, said sources.