ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad traffic police have been investigating alleged issuance of a driving license to a blind person, a traffic police spokesperson said on Sunday, days after a local news channel made the exposé during a sting operation.
The exposé, led by Iqrarul Hassan who hosts ‘Sar-e-Aam’ show on ARY News channel, this week revealed that driving licenses were being issued in Islamabad without proper theoretical and driving tests, or medical examination in exchange for bribes, which raised serious concerns about public safety on the capital city roads.
For the show, Sar-e-Aam team had contacted through an agent an Islamabad traffic police official, who promised to issue a driving license without any theoretical, medical, or driving test. They successfully obtained the license by paying Rs30,000 ($107) and having someone else undergo the medical test on behalf of the blind applicant.
“The incident is currently under investigation, which will be concluded in the next two days and strict action will be taken against all those involved, including Muhammad Talha, the traffic police officer seen in the video,” Nafees Iqbal, the Islamabad traffic police spokesperson, told Arab News.
He said they were verifying facts regarding the young man, who claimed to be blind.
“Preliminary findings suggest that his condition may not be as portrayed in the media and he may not be entirely blind,” Iqbal added.
Arab News reached out to Sar-e-Aam host Hassan and his team, but they did not respond to calls and messages for a comment on the matter.
The traffic police spokesperson said they would share findings of their probe with media upon completion of the investigation in the next few days.
“Upholding the prestige and integrity of the Islamabad traffic police is of utmost importance to us,” he added.
Additionally, he said, strict measures had been taken to curb agent mafias, who act as intermediaries in such matters, and model police service centers were operating for the facilitation of public, including the issuance of driving licenses.
“Further action will be taken based on the inquiry team’s recommendations,” Iqbal added.
Corruption in public sector organizations is a major concern for the South Asian nation, with Pakistan ranking 133rd out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023.
According to the findings of the National Corruption Perceptions Survey 2023, the police department remained the most corrupt institution, followed by tendering and contracting and the judiciary at third position.
Islamabad traffic police investigate alleged issuance of driving license to blind person
https://arab.news/8rmjz
Islamabad traffic police investigate alleged issuance of driving license to blind person
- In a sting operation, local news channel showed the blind person got the license in return for a bribe of Rs30,000 ($107)
- Traffic police say an investigation, set to conclude in the next few days, will lead to strict action against those involved
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
