SAHIWAL: An inquiry involving Rs5.7 million in corruption charges against Dr Muhammad Arshad, former chief executive officer of the Sahiwal District Education Authority, has been initiated under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability (Peeda) Act of 2006.

The inquiry was ordered by the School Education Department (SED).

The chief minister office directed Waqar Azim, managing director of the Punjab Procurement RegulatoryAuthority, to complete the inquiry within 60 days under section 5(9) of the Peeda Act. The order further specifies that Muhammad Ayub, who was an assistant and head clerk under the CEO (education) at the time, will also face the same inquiry.

Currently, Dr Arshad is serving under the School Education Department in Lahore. The inquiry order was issued by Khalid Nazir Wattoo, Secretary of SED on Jan 9.

The allegations include withdrawal of Rs4.55 million without documentation, Rs957,000 from the DDO account on three occasions for awards under `Shan-i-MustafaRahmatulil Alameen` and Rs99,999 and Rs65,000 from the DDO account for purchasing items without proper sanction.

Interestingly, Dr Arshad had previously been implicated in a Rs225 million corruption case by the AntiC o r r u p t i o n Establishment following a report from Muhammad Akram, of Gulstan Road, Sahiwal, on Aug 13, 2024.

At that time, he was booked under sections 471, 468, 420 and 409 of the PPC and section 5/247 of the PCA, along with his accomplices. Despite these charges, no judicial action was taken against Dr Arshad.