Housing ministry official terminated on corruption charges

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Housing and Works has terminated Deputy Director Estate Office Management Muhammad Ayub after he was found involved in corruption and irregularities.

According to the inquiry report available with Hum Investigation Team, Ayub approved 915 allotment of government residential accommodations from April 18, 2023, to August 20, 2023 through unauthorized means and in excess of authority as the deputy director while using the powers of Director General of Estate Office Management despite the fact that no officer had been officially assigned or posted as DG Estate Office Management during this oeriod

According to the inquiry report, Ayub was found approving allotments to unauthorized individuals as well as allotting single government accommodations to multiple officers, leading to disputes among the allottees and subsequent legal proceedings.

Furthermore, the inquiry report highlights that Ayub issued 191 additional allotments from July 17, 2023, to August 20, 2023 despite the fact that the secretary of the ministry had authorized specific persons to approve allotments during this period.

Ayub defended his actions in a reply dated January 15, 2024, arguing that he was assigned the duties of director-general . However, the inquiry found that he lacked the authority to perform the functions of a D-G as a BPS-18 officer.

Ayub was found to have unlawfully occupied the office of the head of department, enabling him to approve allotments illegally. Despite being afforded the opportunity for a personal hearing on January 23, 2024, and January 29, 2024, Ayub chose not to appear before the authority.

Read also: ECP urgently investigates ballot paper snatching in Swabi