The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has successfully recovered more than Rs3.5 billion in connection with a mega financial scandal, working in collaboration with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The recovery was achieved through plea bargains, Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs), and property transfers. However, the fact-finding inquiry committee constituted by the Punjab Chief Secretary has not yet made its report public, even after a year has passed.
Details of the Financial Scandal
According to sources, the scandal involved the transfer of Rs1.94 billion from RDA accounts to various companies and individuals via CDRs. Additionally, embezzlement of millions of rupees from security deposit accounts came to light during the investigation. The case took a tragic turn when former RDA Deputy Director Finance and then Director General of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Sialkot, Junaid Taj, allegedly committed suicide in his office on May 13, 2025. His family, however, termed the death as suspicious and got an FIR registered in Sialkot, alleging murder.
Recoveries Made Through NAB
The recoveries facilitated by NAB include 84 CDRs worth Rs1.291 billion that had not been encashed. These have now been consolidated into a single CDR of the same amount and transferred to RDA's official bank account. Furthermore, Raja Arsalan, driver of the late deputy director finance, and RDA stenographer Raja Jehangir, whose accounts had received transferred funds, entered into plea bargains worth Rs129 million. This amount has been deposited with the court and is expected to be transferred to the RDA account after the relevant court order is issued.
Property Transfers and Freezes
In addition to cash recoveries, land and properties have been transferred or frozen. Eight kanals and 4 marlas of land owned by Zia Ahmed Majeed, father-in-law of Afzal Ahmed (whose company had received RDA funds), have been transferred to RDA. Another 18 kanals and 8 marlas of land owned by Zaka Ahmed Majeed, brother of Zia Ahmed Majeed, have also been surrendered to the authority. Moreover, 31 properties belonging to individuals whose accounts received transferred funds, estimated to be worth Rs2.3 billion, have been frozen and placed under receivership.
Separate Inquiry into Security Deposit Accounts
Meanwhile, RDA has constituted a separate fact-finding committee following the alleged embezzlement of millions of rupees from contractors' security deposit accounts and the unavailability of relevant records. This development indicates that the authority is taking further steps to address the financial irregularities and ensure accountability.
