JIT Names Mastermind in One Constitution Avenue Scandal, Recommends Blacklisting
A joint investigation team has identified an individual as the alleged mastermind behind the One Constitution Avenue scandal in Islamabad and named several former CDA officials for their alleged involvement.
A joint investigation team (JIT) has identified an individual, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, as the alleged mastermind behind the One Constitution Avenue scandal in Islamabad, according to an investigation report. The team also named several former Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials for their alleged involvement in the case.
The report states that Shaikh worked in coordination with CDA officials, including former chairman Kamran Lashari, Faisal Awan and Azhar Ali Chaudhry. Investigators concluded that the project caused financial losses to the national exchequer while allowing certain individuals and their associates to gain undue benefits.
The JIT has recommended that Shaikh be blacklisted from participating in government projects. It has also called on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to accelerate its investigation and file a reference within three months.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed the JIT's findings during a press conference, stating that the government would not provide protection to anyone involved in the scandal. He added that the government would arrange a transparent re-auction of the project.
The JIT has further recommended that the matter be investigated in greater depth and that action be taken against those found responsible. The findings add to ongoing scrutiny of the high-profile real estate project in the federal capital.
