A recent audit report has revealed financial irregularities of Rs147 billion in contracts and payments made by various departments of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government. The findings, shared in the Auditor General of Pakistan’s 2023-24 report, outline multiple issues such as unauthorized payments, violation of PPRA rules, and lack of documentation.
Many of the contracts were awarded without a proper tendering process. In other cases, payments were processed despite incomplete or missing records. Departments involved include health, local government, education, and public works. Several projects were flagged for overpayments or for receiving full payments despite incomplete execution.
The audit also identified advances that were unjustified. Procurement rules were ignored. Oversight was lacking. And in many files, key supporting documents were just not there.
Earlier reports had already highlighted financial mismanagement in KP. One previous audit showed around Rs152 billion in irregularities from ghost projects, fake bills, and missing assets. Out of that, only Rs750 million was recovered. A large portion marked for recovery still remains pending.
Combined, these audits indicate over Rs300 billion in irregularities in recent years. Internal controls appear weak, and record-keeping poor.
Further reviews and departmental explanations may be expected as the matter proceeds. The audit raises serious questions over how public funds are being handled in KP.
