The Billion Tree Project was initiated by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Now as per the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), there are 302 contractors who owe the government Rs. 33.5mn.
As per documents procured from NAB, these contractors entered into an agreement in which they were to purchase, supply and plant tree saplings. Despite taking the advance money from the they failed to fulfil their duties and are in default of Rs.33.5mn.
The documents further stated that the KP government had claimed that 1 billion trees had been planted in the province; however, only 250 million trees have been planted. Currently an inquiry has been ordered and an investigation is underway.
The documents also stated that the plants were not acquired as per market rate and were actually bought at a higher rate from nurseries who were not aware of the requirements.
According to NAB documents, there are currently six inquiries being made regarding the Billion Tree Tsunami Project, while one inquiry has been completed regarding the alleged corruption in the same project in Dera Ismail Khan.
