Audit detects embezzlement of Rs900 bn in govt depts

ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) detected Rs900 billion of embezzlement in federal government departments in the year 2021-22, when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government was in power. 

According to the audit report, embezzlement and corruption of R8 billion were detected in 12 government departments. Special teams audited the expenditures of Rs29,663 billion of 1,490 institutions.

In various accounts of the National Bank, an embezzlement of over Rs4.5 billion was detected, and in the accounts of PTCL, more than Rs2 billion of embezzlement was detected. The report revealed an embezzlement of Rs410 million in various offices of the FBR.

In the accounts of WAPDA and electricity distribution companies, irregularities of Rs172 billion were identified, and in the accounts of CDA, irregularities of Rs24 billion were detected.

According to the report, NEPRA failed to complete important projects, causing a loss of Rs187 billion to the national treasury. Irregularities of Rs11 billion were also revealed in the accounts of NHA and FWO.

Pakistan Trading Corporation’s accounts recorded irregularities of Rs14 billion, and public sector companies’ accounts suffered a loss of Rs61 billion. The federal government did not obtain parliamentary approval for spending Rs1,210 billion in grants, the audit said.

The AGP said that the report has been prepared after getting responses to audit paragraphs from all committees and institutions.

The report will now be presented to the Public Accounts Committee.