NGO collecting cash instead of data?    

LAHORE: The Punjab Health Department has cancelled a contract with an NGO, ‘Nai Zindagi’ after a revelation of Rs 183 million embezzlement by the organization. The NGO is also refusing an audit of its spending. 

According to documents available with Express News, the Health Department had signed a contract with Nai Zindagi on April 1st, 2009. 

According to the contract, the NGO was assigned to collect  data of people addicted to Morphine. Under the PC-1, about Rs 965 million were allocated for the project spreading over five years. 

The Health Department has constituted a five-member committee to probe the issue and report in 15 days. The World Bank has also been asked to halt funding to the NGO. 

However, Nai Zindagi Executive Director Tariq Zafar says the NGO is working in compliance with UN and World Bank rules. Zafar rejected allegations of embezzlement, saying that the audit of the trust is done on annual basis. 

Source: Express (May 23, 2010)