Corruption-free Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Audit finds over Rs100bn irregularities

PESHAWAR: In a startling revelation, the Auditor General of Pakistan has unearthed massive irregularities, embezzlement and corruption in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government at a time when the provincial authorities are already facing similar allegations.

One cannot ignore the fact that the PTI has been campaigning against and accusing other parties, especially the PML-N, of corruption. However, the party is unable to fix the problem when in government at Centre or in the provinces.

Read more: NAB summons PTI’s Azam Swati in Kohistan mega scandal probe

The annual audit report for the year 2024-25 shows the amount involved is massive – Rs100 billion – as the documents available with HUM News point to hundreds of cases of fake expenditures, bogus payments, corruption and unnecessary expenses.

In this connection, the report has also cited dozens of instances where tenders and contracts in the Works Department show financial irregularities.

Meanwhile, these figures pertain to 20 departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province ruled by the PTI since 2013.

THE TOPPERS!

It is the Energy and Power Department with a huge amount of Rs29,005.82 million, followed by Mines Development 17,980.729 million and Finance Rs16766.799 million.

 Below the figures of other Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government departments.

Communication and Works Rs7,636.211 million, Higher Education Rs7,594.589 million, Food Rs7,197.923 million, Health Rs4,311.66 million, Home and Tribal Affairs Rs2,531.748 million, and Agriculture Rs1,101.608 million.

Elementary and Secondary Education Rs921.012 million, Climate Change and Forest Rs730.555 million, Tourism and Culture Rs656.05 million, Planning and Development Rs496.336 million. Establishment and Administration Rs482.387 million.

Livestock Rs468.991 million, Public Health Rs412.908 million, Law Rs323.500 million, Housing Rs196.906 million, Local Government Rs103.229 million, Irrigation Rs38.396 million.

It is interesting to note that, the corruption charges – starting with the Billion Tree Tsunami and BRT Peshawar – coincide with the provincial government’s unending borrowing spree.

Read more: KP govt borrows Rs120B foreign loans during FY25