The Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) Lahore has started around 11 inquiries against officers and management of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on charges of millions of rupees embezzlement, documents available with SAMAA TV revealed.
As per the inquiry number 191/2023 Audit Para No-(19.4. 9) Rs7.632 million were embezzled by the authorities concerned by showing fictitious inventory regarding hockey items, and documents. Among other inquiries during the purchase of foreign currency from the open market 43.29 million rupees were embezzled.
Loss of Rs5 million was caused to the national exchequer in various fundraising projects, said an FIA investigator, adding that, PHF management caused a loss of Rs4 million in connection with the purchase and installation of floodlights for the stadium.
Sports items were purchased in violation of rules and regulations and Rs1 million was embezzled.
Another irregularity was unearthed wherein unauthorized cash was drawn from banks causing a loss of Rs91 million to the national kitty. Expense of Rs1.4 million was made against an accident of an unknown vehicle. Irregularities were committed in the purchase of Hockey sticks and payments of GST were made in violation of the contract which caused a loss of Rs11.11 million to the federation, documents revealed. Due to a shortage of hockey sticks a loss of Rs7 million was observed during the audit and another loss of Rs54 million was caused due to expenses made in connection with service charges in violation of rules.
FIA Lahore Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) has started inquiries and sought relevant record from the PHF management. “We have asked PHF management to nominate a well conversant focal Person not below the rank of BPS-17 for all sort of communication in this regard”, said an FIA investigator while talking to SAMAA TV.
