Balochistan Financial Irregularities: Committee Probe Reveals Billions
- Quetta, Balochistan - September 16, 2025 - The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly revealed notable financial irregularities on Monday, totaling billions of rupees.These include unspent...
- The committee's investigation highlighted several key areas of concern:
- The failure to collect due revenue and the mismanagement of funds represent a significant loss for the Balochistan exchequer.
Balochistan Assembly Committee Uncovers Billions in Financial Irregularities
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Quetta, Balochistan – September 16, 2025 – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly revealed notable financial irregularities on Monday, totaling billions of rupees.These include unspent budget allocations and failures in revenue collection.
Key Findings of the PAC inquiry
The committee’s investigation highlighted several key areas of concern:
- Unsurrendered Savings: Over Rs8.7 billion in budget savings remained unspent and were not surrendered to the treasury.
- Revenue Shortfalls: The government failed to collect more than Rs1.1 billion in Usher (a religious tax),irrigation tax,and agricultural income tax.
- Improper Cheque Issuance: Cheques totaling Rs228.96 million were improperly issued from commissioners’ offices, payable to Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) instead of directly to vendors.
- Non-compliance with Directives: Several deputy commissioners were found to be non-compliant with PAC directives dating back to 2020.
Financial Impact and Concerns
The failure to collect due revenue and the mismanagement of funds represent a significant loss for the Balochistan exchequer. The Rs1.1 billion shortfall in Usher, irrigation tax, and agricultural income tax directly impacts the province’s ability to fund essential services and progress projects. The unspent savings of Rs8.7 billion, while technically allocated, did not contribute to economic activity or public benefit.
PAC Response and directives
PAC Chairman Zafar Tareen expressed “serious concern” over the findings and demanded the immediate surrender of all unspent budget savings. He warned of disciplinary measures against officials obstructing financial transparency. The committee issued the following directives:
- Immediate submission of all pending records to audit authorities.
- Mandatory deposit of all withheld funds into the treasury.
- Strict action against negligent officers.
Tareen emphasized that financial discipline cannot be ensured without strict adherence to rules and regulations.
Improper Cheque Issuance Details
The improper issuance of cheques worth Rs228.96 million raises concerns about potential fraud or mismanagement. Paying DDOs instead of vendors creates opportunities for funds to be diverted or misused. This practice bypasses standard procurement procedures and reduces accountability.
Timeline of Events
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