PM Launches Emergency Probe Over Rs. 111 Billion Solar Import Fraud Case

The federal government has initiated a major accountability drive following a large-scale solar panel over-invoicing scandal, with the Prime Minister approving the formation of two high-level committees to oversee disciplinary action, investigations, and prosecution of those involved.

A Committee on Disciplinary Proceedings has been established to monitor action against officers and officials accused of administrative negligence or facilitating over-invoicing by importers.

The committee will also determine supervisory responsibility, identify additional officials who may have escaped scrutiny, and review cases where earlier inquiries failed to establish charges.

The committee will be chaired by Establishment Division Secretary Nabeel Awan and will include senior representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, Finance Division Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, Federal Investigation Agency, and the Intelligence Bureau Pakistan. The body will submit fortnightly progress reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.

A second panel (the Committee for Monitoring Investigation and Prosecution) has been constituted to ensure swift legal proceedings in cases linked to trade-based money laundering associated with the scandal.

The committee will coordinate ongoing investigations, track prosecution progress, and ensure cases move forward without unnecessary delays.

This committee will be headed by Director General Intelligence & Investigation, Pakistan Customs, Rubab Sikandar, and will include senior officials from Pakistan Customs, the FIA’s anti-corruption wing, anti-money laundering authorities, the Intelligence Bureau, and the Islamabad administration. It will also provide biweekly updates to the Prime Minister.

Additionally, the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Law and Justice Pakistan to appoint two special prosecutors (one each in Islamabad and Karachi) to pursue cases arising from the scandal.

The move follows findings by the Customs Adjudication Authority, which uncovered large-scale fraud involving fake documentation and fictitious trade transactions.

Investigators determined that several importing companies were shell entities with no legitimate commercial activity. Authorities have imposed penalties totaling Rs111 billion, along with individual fines against those found responsible.

The next phase will focus on recovering penalties, confiscating assets allegedly acquired through illegal proceeds, and introducing regulatory reforms to prevent similar fraud in the future.

The case has also sparked controversy after the suspension of an officer reportedly linked to exposing the scam.

For the government’s accountability campaign to retain credibility, the inquiry must also examine the circumstances surrounding the whistleblower’s suspension while the alleged fraud continued undetected for years.

And yet he’s ok with ipps charging high rates

This fraud came up about 3 years ago. After they have wiped out the main evidence, now the PM is asking for investigation. Few innocent would be charged and chapter closed. This is called Accountability