Report Says Pakistani Officials Embezzled TAPI, IP Gas Pipeline Funds

A report submitted to Pakistani oil minister says officials of a subsidiary of petroleum ministry have spent millions of rupees on foreign tours from the funds allocated for TAPI and Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipelines, according to Daily Times, a local newspaper.

The report recommends criminal proceedings against all these officials.

According to the report prepared by petroleum secretary, the Inter State Gas Systems (ISGS) spent the funds earmarked for the TAPI and IP gas pipeline on foreign visits of its officials. The report says that development work on the TAPI and IP gas projects has been delayed due to shortage of funds.

The report says that 14 officials of the ISGS have transferred more than 100 million rupees to their bank accounts in the name of gratuity and provident fund and 4.2 million rupees in the name of convenience allowance, Daily Times reported.

Progress on IP gas pipeline has been stuck as Pakistan has not been able to raise sufficient funds to build the section of the pipeline that would traverse its territory. According to the deal signed between the two nations, about 250 million cubic feet gas would be imported from Iran during first year, while in the second year the import of gas would be enhanced to 500 million cubic feet while in the third year 750 million cubic feet gas would be imported.