MULTAN, Oct 5: Two solar energy systems worth millions of rupees meant for Engineering College, Bahauddin Zakariya University, and the shrine of Shah Shams could not be installed as MPA Ahmed Mujtaba Gilani, the younger brother of former prime minister Syed Yousaf Gilani, had allegedly kept the systems in his personal use, Dawn has learnt.

The executive board meeting of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) held under the chairmanship of Admiral Fasih Bokhari (retired) at the NAB headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday authorised complaint verification in a case against officials of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Multan, for their alleged involvement in embezzlement and misappropriation of millions of rupees in the procurement and installation of five solar energy systems imported from China.The decision to verify the complaint was taken after the Human Rights Cell of Supreme Court of Pakistan forwarded the case to the NAB for investigation.

Although the complainant mentioned five systems in his applications; Dawn learnt that the number of system to be installed was four.

Complainant Makhdoom ZahidHusain Shamsi told Dawn that the staff of the Pakistan Engineering Council contacted him a year ago and informed him that the government had decided to install energy system at the shrine of Shah Shams to facilitate devotees.

He said he was also informed that the solar energy systems had been procured from China to install them in BZU Engineering College, mausoleums of Musa Pak Shaheed, Shah Shams and a mosque adjoining the residence of the Gilanis in Gilani Colony.

He said the staff of engineering council requested space for the construction of a room where they could install the system. However, he offered them an already constructed room for the purpose.

He said after some he contacted the officials concerned to know any progress in the case but the response was unsatisfactory.

He said he visited the offices of the Pakistan Engineering Council where he was informed that the systems had been taken to the residence of Ahmed Mujtaba Gilani. One system was installed at the mosque and another at the shrine of Musa Pak Shaheed while the remaining two systems were in the custody of younger Gilani.

He said after knowing the situationhe wrote an application to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

He said after sometime time he dispatched another application to President Asif Ali Zardari for an inquiry into the matter besides sending a reminder to the chief justice.

Former principal of Engineering College Dr Akhtar Karlo claimed that the system meant for the college had been installed. However, sources disclosed that the system installed at the college building was actually installed some three years back.

Sources further said the system already installed at the college building lacked the number of the solar panels as compared to the systems imported from China and installed at the shrine of Musa Pak Shaheed and the mosque in Gilani Colony.

Speaking on behalf of the Gilani family, ex-MPA Dr Javed Siddiqui said no solar system had been installed at the Gilani House nor any system was in the custody of Mujtaba Gilani. He said the department concerned should be asked to explain where it had placed the systems in question. No PEC official was available to give their side of the story.