Ownership matter of 280kg gold, 1,880kg silver still unsolved: PAC informed

ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP):The Avacuee Trust Property Board (ATPB) Friday informed the Sub Committee of Public Accounts Committee on Monitoring and Implementation that the ownership matter of 280 kilogram gold, 1,880 kg silver and cash could not be resolved since 1947.
The PAC had directed the ATPB to find a way so that the wealth would remain with the federation in consultation with all departments concerned and in accordance with law.
The sub-committee met here under the chairmanship of Rana Afzal and attended by other members and officials of ATPB. The body discussed the matter and review the implementation of PAC recommendations over the audit objections of Ministry of Religious Affairs and FATA Secretariat.
Secretary Religious Affairs, Khalid Masood informed the committee that the above wealth was
save with lockers of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and provinces. After the 18th Amendment in the constitution, the matter had been shifted to provinces, he said.
Mian Abdul Mannan said this wealth was owned by federation.
Masood said the cash was being paid to federation by KPK and Sindh governments.
He said the opinion of foreign office should also be sought regarding the ownership of gold and
silver.
The PAC directed the ministry to ensure physical examination of this wealth on the spot and after this a strategy should be developed with consultation of all stakeholders to resolve the matter.
The audit officials informed the committee that ATPB had invested an amount of Rs 2.40 billion
in infamous banks in 2006.
However, the secretary religious affairs said this matter was subjudice.
The committee directed the NAB to investigate the matter from all aspects and submit its report
with the body.