ALPURI: The Tehreek-e-Ehtesab Shangla, a movement launched for the accountability of corrupt elements and embezzlement committed in uplift projects, has intensified its campaign against alleged corruption and formally approached the accountability and investigative agencies and departments for a comprehensive inquiry into development funds released in the district over the past two decades.
The movement has submitted written applications to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), the Auditor General, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other relevant departments, seeking transparent and independent investigations into the utilisation of billions of rupees allocated for provincial and federal development projects in Shangla since 2002.
The initiative has been welcomed by various progressive and civil society circles, which have expressed support for efforts aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending.
Representatives of the movement stated that several development projects in Shangla remained incomplete despite the passage of years, while billions of rupees have allegedly been spent on numerous schemes without delivering the expected benefits to residents.
They argued that independent investigations were now essential into incomplete schemes, unfinished projects, alleged irregularities in construction work and the utilisation of public funds.
According to the applications submitted to the authorities, if large-scale investigations can be conducted into alleged financial irregularities in Kohistan, similar comprehensive inquiries should also be carried out in Shangla to determine whether public funds were misused and to hold those responsible accountable under the law.
The movement emphasised that its campaign was not directed against any individual, political party or institution, but was aimed at protecting public resources and strengthening the rule of law.
Leaders of the Tehreek-e-Ehtesab Shangla have called for a forensic and financial audit of all relevant government records, development projects, payments, tenders and expenditure of public funds so that facts could be established and made available to the masses to help prevent future misuse of national resources.
Meanwhile, the government departments and agencies concerned have not yet issued any formal response to the allegations or applications. Similarly, NAB, ACE and other investigative bodies have not announced whether any inquiry or investigation has been initiated in connection with the matter.
