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The Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday ordered action against former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf and several others in the multi-billion rupee development funds case.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry ruled that the former premier misused his powers while allocating development funds to the people of "his liking".
Ashraf-led Pakistan People's Party government had approved schemes worth Rs 52 billion during its last days.
The Supreme Court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency to trace beneficiaries of the massive funds.
The attorney general had apprised the bench in June that Ashraf, while releasing the funds, had violated the rules and regulations of the Planning Commission of Pakistan.
Representatives of the auditor general of Pakistan informed the apex court that the prime minister has powers to utilise discretionary funds for development projects.
However, in case of shifting funds for another project, the consultation with the ministries concerned is also required, he added.
They contended that the former prime minister did not comply with the rules and regulations.
The Chief Justice had termed the release of Rs 20 million development funds to a Civil Aviation Authority officer for convening a meeting “an act of extreme corruption”.
The officials involved in the corruption case will try to save one another, he had remarked.
Director General of Public Works Development Sarwar Awan had told the court that Rs 140 million was released to three people belonging to Chakwal district under the head of developments funds.
Rs 40 million was released to Colonel (retired) Ghluam Saleem, Rs 50 million to Malik Muhammad Amir and Rs 50 million to Fasil Majeed, he added.
Ashraf is also facing charges in the Rental Power Projects Scam.
He became the prime minister for a brief period after then premier Yusuf Raza Gilani was forced to resign after his conviction by the Supreme Court in a contempt case.