The Ministry of Science and Technology has initiated a formal inquiry against suspended Assistant Director Tariq Rahim of the Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) over alleged serious financial irregularities in a development project, sources said. Joint Secretary Tahir Ihsan has been appointed as the inquiry officer, with instructions to submit the report within 30 days.
The investigation concerns alleged mismanagement and embezzlement of over Rs8 million in funds allocated for the construction of the Fast Track Lab building. The ministry had taken strict notice after Secretary Science and Technology Shahid Iqbal Baloch issued a show-cause notice to the project director and suspended Tariq Rahim, who held the position of Assistant Director (Accounts).
Sources said the former assistant director has been formally served with detailed allegations of financial misconduct. The inquiry claims that financial matters related to the project were not properly managed and key accounting files and records were missing from the accounts section, despite Rahim being responsible for the accounts.
The allegations further include the improper use and poor maintenance of project accounts. To ensure a thorough investigation, the ministry has tasked Joint Secretary Tahir Ihsan with conducting the inquiry and reporting back within the stipulated 30-day period.
