RAWALPINDI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday said that solar street lights project was initiated following approval of the provincial assembly.
“In 2014-15, municipal and town communities gave this scheme. As per the constitution, a scheme can be announced without giving it in budget,” Murad Shah said while talking to media in Rawalpindi after appearing before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in solar street lights case.
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He said he was summoned for clarification on solar street lights project. He relayed that he had responded to the NAB questions, while a questionnaire would be given further to be answered.
The chief minister said he was revenue minister at the time, when this project was started.
On spread of coronavirus, he said it was a matter of grave concern that COVID-19 SOPs were not being followed at a large number of places. “Currently, the pandemic has gripped the entire world,” he said.
CM Murad is alleged of holding fake bank accounts and misusing his authority by giving illegal contracts for different projects. The NAB has already recovered about Rs290 million through plea bargain in solar lights case. While, two people have become approver in the said case.
He is also accused of giving illegal subsidy to Dadu Sugar Mills and Thatta Sugar Mills.
The chief minister was directed to bring all the relevant documents at the NAB office, where a joint investigation team, headed by Director General NAB Rawalpindi Irfan Naeem, grilled him.
Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh Spokesperson Murtaza Wahab were accompanying him.
