News Desk
Quetta : The Balochistan Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns over more than Rs12.11 billion in irregular expenditure by the Communication and Works (C&W) Department during the financial year 2023-24.
The issue came under discussion during a PAC meeting chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen at the Balochistan Assembly. Senior officials from the C&W Department, Audit Department, Accountant General’s Office and Law Department attended the meeting.
According to the Audit Report 2023-24, the C&W Department incurred irregular expenditure exceeding Rs12.11 billion during the year. PAC members expressed concern over the scale of the spending and questioned the department’s financial management and internal controls.
The committee also reviewed the department’s finances for 2022-23. More than Rs44.42 billion had been allocated for development and non-development expenditure, of which over Rs41.18 billion was spent. More than Rs3.24 billion, however, remained unutilised and lapsed.
The committee directed that funds unlikely to be utilised during a financial year should be surrendered in time so that they can be redirected towards other development projects.
Rs130m irregularities flagged
The PAC also examined audit objections concerning excess payments and other financial irregularities in construction projects.
Under Audit Para 4.2.1, an overpayment of Rs90.34 million was identified in different building divisions during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The audit attributed the amount to payments above approved rates and errors in calculating quantities.
The committee directed the department to provide the relevant records and ensure 100% recovery of the amount.
Another audit objection, Para 4.2.2, involved irregular payments of Rs40.41 million for construction work exceeding quantities approved in PC-I documents, estimates and contracts.
The PAC ordered the concerned authorities to recover the entire amount within 10 days.
Project Director’s system questioned
The committee also expressed reservations about the appointment of Project Directors (PDs) for development schemes.
PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen questioned the need for separate project structures when the relevant government departments were already in place. The committee directed officials to submit detailed reports on all projects being implemented under Project Directors.
Committee member Mir Muhammad Khan Lehri said projects initiated through the Planning and Development and C&W departments should be implemented through the relevant departments rather than through unnecessary parallel arrangements.
Members also raised concerns over additional expenditure arising from the purchase of official vehicles, salaries and recruitment of staff for Project Director offices.
Special audits ordered
The PAC ordered special audits of projects in Nasirabad, Nushki, Zhob and other districts, including the Kachhi Plain Water Supply Scheme and the Balochistan Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Project (BLEP).
The committee noted that some Project Directors were appointed without adequate staff and subsequently recruited additional employees, increasing the financial burden on the provincial exchequer.
The PAC directed the C&W Department to ensure compliance with approved rates, quantities, PC-I provisions and contractual terms in all development schemes. It also stressed timely implementation of audit objections and recovery of public money from those found responsible.
Proceedings on several remaining audit paras were deferred after the department failed to provide the required records and preparation.
The committee decided to review the remaining audit objections at its next meeting scheduled for November 30 at 10am.
