The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started digging into alleged embezzlement of millions of rupees in the name of purchasing substandard transformers during Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) Secretary Awais Yasin's tenure.

In a letter written to the Lesco chief, the FIA sought criteria/rules for appointment of Lesco secretary. The agency sought details of board of governors meetings as the board members were allegedly greased the palm with holding unusual number of meetings in three years. Reportedly, a board member was paid Rs35,000 for one meeting.

The investigation agency also sought details of transformers which were approved in procurement committee meeting during the tenure of Awais Yasin and after procurement all transformers were found faulty. 

Lesco secretary’s appointment challenged

On June 9, the Lahore High Court was moved against the appointment of Lesco Secretary Awais Yasin. A citizen Shakil Yawar, filed the quo warranto petition through Ch Shoaib Saleem advocate and urged the court to declare the appointment of Awais Yasin illegal.

The petitioner through his counsel said that Lesco board of directors appointed the respondent on a contract for one year with a probation period of three months and subsequently his contract was to be extended “as per rules on the basis of performance” but during the law three years his performance was never evaluated by Lesco board of directors. Instead, the CEO prepared a working paper with the active connivance of the company secretary and put it before the Board of Directors as an agenda item and got illegal extension in his contract for two years, said the petitioner.

The petitioner stated that the respondent was also a nominated accused as secretary of Punjab Saaf Pani Company in an FIR registered in 2017 with Anti-Corruption Establishment. He said it was categorically alleged in the challan that respondent Yasin in connivance of other accused caused a colossal loss to the national exchequer.