NAB launches probe into WB-funded education project in KP

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched an inquiry against four officials, including the project director of the KP Human Capital Investment Project (HCIP) and a World Bank consultant, over alleged irregularities in the Elementary and Secondary Education Department’s World Bank-funded scheme.

According to documents available with HUM News English, the NAB has started investigating the project director, procurement specialist, World Bank consultant, and other officials. The NAB has also sought all records related to the project from the education and planning and development departments.

Sources said that NAB’s move follows complaints of alleged corruption and irregularities raised earlier this year when a project official wrote to the education secretary highlighting mismanagement. However, senior officials of the Education Department limited action to file work, prompting NAB to step in.

A meeting regarding the inquiry was held on July 29 at NAB KP’s office, attended by officials from the planning and development and education departments, along with the project director of HCIP.

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The project was initially approved at Rs32 billion under the project concept (PC-I), but due to negligence by former officials and the education department, work remained sluggish for the past three years. The World Bank expressed concerns and subsequently reduced its funding by Rs6 billion, revising the project cost to Rs26 billion.

On the other hand, HCIP management has maintained that significant progress has been made over the past year, including the construction of additional classrooms in government schools, upgradation of primary and middle schools, and achievement of several other targets.

Regarding the NAB inquiry, project management said they have extended full cooperation, provided a detailed briefing to the bureau’s team, and committed to submitting all required documents. They added that NAB should also take action against those making “baseless allegations” against the project officials.