A Sindh government official has come under fire after being accused of demanding a luxury apartment in Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa as a bribe for approving a tender. According to a formal complaint lodged with Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP) Director, Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal, allegedly sought a 3,600-square-foot apartment in the Burj Khalifa from the Chinese consortium awarded the contract.
The complaint was filed by China Road & Bridge Corporation and Hubei Shuizong Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Co. Ltd. (CRBC-HBSZ), the firms managing the restoration and upgrade of the Sukkur Barrage. They claimed that the official sent them a photograph of the luxury tower along with his demand, reportedly tying the approval of the tender to this high-value “commission.”
The $34 billion Sukkur Barrage restoration project is a crucial initiative backed by the World Bank. Its aim is to extend the operational life of the 90-year-old barrage by another 30 years. As a key structure in the Indus Basin Irrigation System, the Sukkur Barrage is vital for sustaining 3.2 million hectares of farmland, which contributes $2.29 billion annually to Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
In their letter titled “Complaint Against Mr. Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal,” the Chinese companies appealed to NAB Karachi to investigate the alleged misconduct, warning that inaction could result in their withdrawal from the project. The companies emphasized the importance of transparency, noting that the success of this critical infrastructure project hinges on good governance and accountability.
The Sindh government has yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations. However, this controversy raises serious concerns about corruption in projects meant to bolster Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy.
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