Islamabad:
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held a detailed discussion on Wednesday on the alleged scam of 40 billion rupees in Kohistan, expressing serious concerns concerning financial irregularities and the lack of ministerial cooperation.
Chairing a meeting after a one -month break, president of the CAP, Junaid Akbar, said that when the committee increased audit objections, the ministry concerned would not cooperate effectively.
In May, the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa launched an investigation into the mega-corruption scandal in the Kohistan district, where about 40 billion rupees were allegedly siphoned from the provincial treasury.
The account was intended for the retention of money by entrepreneurs for regimes of four departments, in particular communication and work, local government, irrigation and public health engineering services. The scandal was the subject of a meticulous examination at a CAP meeting, chaired by the president of the assembly KP Babar Saleem Swati.
Managers of the Finance Department and the Bureau of the General Accountant admitted during the session that billions had been diverted from public funds.
Although an official RS24 billion diversion figure has been confirmed, the CAP members expressed their dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by the Secretary of Finance and the General Accountant.
Wednesday, audit officials revealed that there had been improper use of the checkbook, with fraud committed by three people who have now been arrested. The National Board National Bureau (NAB) is currently investigating the issue.
The auditor general revealed that despite the sending of three letters to the finance department, no disciplinary measure had been taken against any of their officials. The committee asked for complete details on the case and ordered that all the relevant files be submitted.
