Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Establishment has reportedly arrested Abdullah Bajwa, the Operations Manager of the Suthra Punjab project, after registering a major corruption case involving alleged financial irregularities worth more than Rs. 1 billion. The development has sparked serious concerns regarding transparency and monitoring in Punjab’s sanitation sector.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, Bajwa and several associates were booked after an extensive inquiry into the sanitation project’s operational and financial matters. Investigators claimed that records showed payments were approved for 2,317 waste containers, while only 1,717 containers were allegedly available and operational on the ground.
The FIR further stated that attendance records were manipulated for hundreds of sanitary workers. Authorities alleged that 633 ghost employees were shown performing door-to-door sanitation duties despite not actually working in the field. The alleged fake attendance reportedly enabled salaries and payments to be withdrawn from government funds unlawfully.
Investigators also highlighted major discrepancies in waste enclosure operations. According to the inquiry findings, only 33 waste enclosures were functioning, while payments were allegedly issued for a total of 118 sites. Officials claimed the remaining 85 locations existed only in documentation and were used for fraudulent billing purposes.
The inquiry additionally revealed allegations involving temporary garbage collection points. Authorities claimed that payments were processed for three temporary waste collection facilities that were never established. Officials also alleged that machinery values, including tractors, loaders, and tractor trolleys, were intentionally understated through fraudulent methods, causing significant financial losses to the provincial government.
The Anti-Corruption Establishment further accused officials of manipulating tracker data of vehicles involved in waste collection activities. According to sources, the case was registered after a high-level investigation conducted by senior anti-corruption officers from vigilance and headquarters departments. The investigation is expected to continue as authorities examine the role of additional officials and contractors linked to the project.
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