KP forms committee to probe Rs36b Kohistan corruption scandal

PESHAWAR: In a major corruption scandal, at least Rs36 billion have allegedly been embezzled from a government account in Kohistan, one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most underdeveloped districts.

The scandal came to light during the provincial assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, which ordered to form a committee to probe into the matter.

Following the PAC’s directives, the KP government has formed a five-member inquiry committee led by the Chief Engineer of the Communication and Works (C&W) Department.

According to a notification issued by the KP C&W Department, the committee will be headed by Chief Engineer Ejaz Ahmad and includes members from the mechanical and audit wings of the department, as well as the Superintendent Engineer of the Bannu Circle.

The inquiry panel has been tasked with scrutinising issued cheques, completed projects, and suspicious transactions linked to the Kohistan C&W division. The findings are to be compiled in a detailed report.

The PAC, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, learnt that between 2016 and 2024, Rs206 billion had been withdrawn from a government account that had received only Rs181 billion—highlighting an unaccounted difference of Rs24 billion.

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The Speaker warned the total corruption could exceed Rs200 billion once investigations are complete.

The PAC instructed the immediate suspension of officials from the finance department, the C&W Department, and the Accountant General’s office.

It also ordered an internal inquiry report to be submitted within three days.

Present during the session were KP Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam, the secretaries of finance and C&W, the Accountant General, Auditor General, NAB officials, and other PAC members.

The C&W secretary admitted that the withdrawals were made with collusion among officials from the finance department, the AG office, and C&W’s accounts section.

The Auditor General further noted that a full audit of Kohistan had never been conducted.

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Speaking to Hum News English, Advisor to KP chief minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam assured that strict action would be taken against all individuals found involved in the scandal.