ISLAMABAD: It has been revealed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) diverted a $30 million grant given by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for flood victims in Pakistan to Turkiye and Syria.
A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament was held in which the audit paragraphs for the year 2023-24 of the Ministry of Communications, NDMA and Pakistan Post were reviewed.
It was revealed that NDMA used a grant of $30 million from the Asian Development Bank for the victims of Turkiye and Syria.
Audit officials said the Asian Development Bank’s aid was for flood victims. Its other use is illegal. They said the NDMA had not yet been able to convince the Asian Development Bank on the use of the money.
NDMA Chairman told the meeting that of the authority stocks were used for immediate assistance of needed people in ‘brother’ countries. It is retrieved later, the stock we used will be replenished.
On this occasion, PTI MNA Omar Ayub said that when the use of grants or loans is not corrected, there is no more assistance from donors. The Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division should be asked about the misuse of the Asian Development Bank grant.
Audit officials said that the country director of the Asian Development Bank had asked the joint secretary of economic affairs in 2023 about the use of the money. The bank has asked for details of the use of the money for its report, which has not been given yet.
The PAC directed that the matter be resolved and a report submitted to the committee by attaching it with the bank’s report.
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