The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Islamabad, has taken decisive action against the managing committee of Sawan Garden Cooperative Housing Society. The entire management committee, including President Raza Gondal, has been suspended and disqualified from contesting elections for any society for 9 years. This action follows allegations of serious negligence, irregularities, financial corruption, forgery of records, and failure to resolve the basic issues of the members.
The decision was taken under Rule 48 of the Islamabad Cooperative Societies Rules 2018, and Assistant Commissioner Rural, Fahad Shabbir Cheema, has been appointed as administrator to oversee the society’s affairs. The administrator has been tasked with ensuring that new elections are held within the next 60 days.
The troubles for the managing committee began when a resident named Huma Ayub submitted a petition signed by over 220 members to the district administration. The petition alleged patronage of tanker mafia, illegal sale of water, financial irregularities, and non-provision of basic facilities. The petition also highlighted the society’s failure to get approval for Phase I and II (LOP).
An inquiry conducted by the district administration revealed a range of legal violations, including non-submission of monthly progress reports, non-computerization of records, and non-posting of the voter list on the website. The inquiry committee also found that the society administration had failed to provide required records in an FIA case. The financial audit report of the society revealed cash transactions, wrong issuance of checks, and violations of model bye-laws.
The inquiry report’s findings were damning, and the Registrar’s decision to suspend the managing committee reflects the seriousness of the allegations. The administrator will now take charge of the society’s affairs and ensure that new elections are held in a fair and transparent manner. The election will provide an opportunity for members to elect a new management committee that will work in the best interests of the society.
The suspension of the managing committee and the appointment of an administrator are expected to bring much-needed stability and transparency to the society’s affairs. The Registrar’s decision sends a strong message that allegations of corruption and mismanagement will not be tolerated, and action will be taken to protect the interests of members. With the administrator overseeing the society’s affairs, members can expect a fair and transparent election process, which will pave the way for a new era of good governance and accountability.
