ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Wednesday has reached Balakot to review uplift work and to hear the first-hand account of the deadly 2005 earthquake victims.

Chief Justice suddenly planned his visit while hearing a suo moto case pertaining to alleged embezzlement of funds entitled for the victims of Balakot and Mansehra.

I would investigate himself the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion financial assistance extended by the international community for the city’s rehabilitation, Chief Justice Nisar remarked.

During course of proceedings, the bench expressed dissatisfaction over the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and decided to visit the site himself.

“Spending funds of earthquake victims on other projects is a crime court will hear the problems of locals itself,” CJ maintained.

He also ordered all authorities concerned to reach the area.

The court had taken notice on an application of Shahzad Mehmood Qureshi of Mansehra inviting the attention of the court towards the plight of earthquake victims, who are living in the makeshift houses without water facility and improper education arrangements for their children despite the lapse of 13 years.