Authorities suspend CDA driver who acted as supervisor of the Diplomatic Transportation Service
ISLAMABAD:
Irregularities have emerged in the operation of the Diplomatic Transportation Service in the highly sensitive Red Zone of the federal capital, when it was reported that the service was carried out under the supervision of a CDA driver and that private security guards were deployed at the facility, surprising even officials from the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA).
Following complaints about irregularities in the transport service, DMA Director Syeda Anam Fatima visited the transport service area and ordered action to be taken against those involved. During the inspection, an individual was arrested on charges of overcharging passengers and was taken to the Secretariat Police Station.
According to sources, the visit also revealed that private security guards were deployed at the Diplomatic Transport Service even though the facility is now operated by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The director of the DMA ordered the withdrawal of the private guards and ordered that police personnel be deployed in their place.
In addition, the acting supervisor of the transport service, Aijaz Qureshi, was suspended for alleged irregularities. Sources said Qureshi, who officially works as a driver at the DMA, had been performing supervisory duties at the transport service’s sensitive facilities.
Sources further claimed that the private guards had been stationed in the shuttle service area for several years and continued there even after the service came under official government management. Complaints have also been filed against some of these guards, alleging their involvement in sending people to embassies without appointments in exchange for money.
A few months ago, the UAE Embassy reportedly expressed concern after dozens of people allegedly arrived at the embassy on the same day without valid appointments after paying middlemen. Embassy officials reportedly refused to receive the visitors after discovering that they did not have an appointment. The incident reportedly sparked protests outside the shuttle area by those affected, prompting police intervention to disperse the crowd.
Sources said several institutions had earlier informed senior authorities about allegations of corruption and irregularities in the Diplomatic Transport Service, but no effective action was taken. They claimed that those involved were too influential to be restrained.
