PESHAWAR: Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have emerged within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP)—a Rs32 billion World Bank-funded initiative overseen by the Elementary and Secondary Education Department.
In response, KP’s Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, Masood Ahmed, has directed the special secretary of development to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the claims.
The controversy began when the project’s accounts officer sent a letter to the education secretary, accusing the project director, deputy director, and other officials of engaging in corruption, illegal advance payments, procurement irregularities, document forgery, and violations of World Bank regulations.
The letter further alleged that contractors received millions in payments just days after signing contracts, that ineligible companies were awarded tenders, and that fake audit reports were created. Additionally, it claimed that official documents had been falsified and records manipulated.
The KP-HCIP administration has rejected these claims, calling them unfounded and reaffirming its commitment to education reforms, transparency, and accountability.
Officials clarified that the accounts officer who made the accusations was a contractual employee, not a permanent government official or part of the project’s core administration. They further stated that he had previously faced complaints regarding involvement in illegal financial activities, which led to his reassignment within the project. The allegations, they claimed, followed this reassignment and were part of a deliberate smear campaign.
The project’s management emphasized that it strictly adheres to World Bank procurement and financial regulations, with regular audits ensuring compliance. They warned that action would be taken against any attempts to damage the project’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Secretary Masood Ahmed assured that the investigation is ongoing and reaffirmed that no compromise would be made on the project’s integrity.
