ISLAMABAD(National Times)- A 399-page Auditor General of Pakistan report has identified serious financial irregularities, non-recoveries and procedural violations across several federal ministries and departments, with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control recording the highest number of audit observations.
According to the AGP report, the ministry accounted for 65 audit paras — the highest among all examined entities. It was followed by the Higher Education Commission (31), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (18), Ministry of National Food Security and Research (17), Ministry of Science and Technology (16), National Heritage and Culture Division (12), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (12), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (12), Ministry of National Health Services (11) and Education Division (10).
The audit also covered several other ministries and institutions. Observations were raised against the Cabinet Division (two), Communications Division (five), Defence Division (five), Economic Affairs Division (two), Information Division (two), Inter-Provincial Coordination Division (eight), Maritime Affairs Division (six), National Accountability Bureau (two), National School of Public Policy (one), Ministry of Planning (one) and Religious Affairs Division (three).
The Ministry of Interior, which faced the highest number of audit objections, was cited for a wide range of financial, regulatory and administrative irregularities. Auditors pointed to the non-recovery of Rs22 million in annual renewal fees and penalties related to no-objection certificates issued for armoured vehicles. They also reported the non-recovery of Rs27m in annual renewal fees from private security companies.
The report revealed that receipts from 3,421 arms licences amounting to Rs56m were not deposited into the government treasury. Auditors also questioned the conversion of manual arms licences into computerised licences, describing the process as doubtful and highlighted discrepancies in data relating to prohibited-bore weapons.
The audit questioned the revision of driving licence fees and rules by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Office without approval of the Finance Division.
It pointed to the non-establishment of the ICT Consolidated Fund and objected to the appointment of the chief commissioner without presidential approval.
The interior ministry, however, maintained that the appointment was made in accordance with established procedures.
A major audit observation relates to a Rs40m Unicef grant received by the Chief Commissioner Office for a child labour survey. According to the auditors, records relating to the receipt of funds, bank accounts, expenditure and utilisation were not produced for audit examination.
The management responded that the funds were handled through the Punjab Bureau of Statistics under Unicef policy. However, auditors said no supporting record was available to verify the utilisation of the grant.
The report also highlighted the issuance of stamp papers worth Rs290m to cancelled vendors by the ICT Land Revenue Department. Other audit observations relate to the computerisation of land records, mutation fees, recovery of road challans and irregular appointments in institutions, including the FC, Pakistan Rangers, GB Scouts, National Police Foundation and ICT Police.
The AGP report also raised objections regarding the Anti-Narcotics Force, where auditors questioned the Rs1.2 billion spent on overhauling two helicopters without an open competitive bidding.
The auditors recommended an inquiry into the matter, saying the procurement and expenditure process required further examination to determine responsibility for the alleged irregularity.
Qadir Yar Tiwana, DG (media) at the interior ministry, was approached for comment, but he did not respond till the filing of this report on Saturday evening.
