The Public Accounts Committee-I (PAC-I) of the Punjab Assembly has decided to refer four major audit cases involving alleged financial irregularities and violations of rules worth more than Rs1.1 billion to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The committee directed that a comprehensive investigation report be submitted within three months.
Committee Meeting Details
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Punjab Assembly member and PAC-I Chairman Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar on Thursday. The committee conducted a detailed review of 50 audit paras related to the Higher Education Department and the School Education Department.
During the proceedings, members examined several serious financial and administrative irregularities. These included non-deduction of income tax on installment payments, increases in project scope beyond prescribed limits, issuance of a Rs400 million work guarantee before project completion, and alleged unlawful approval of a project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
Value of Irregularities
According to officials, the combined value of the irregularities under review exceeded Rs1.10 billion. The committee expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Higher Education Department for failing to implement directives of the Special Departmental Accounts Committee (SDAC) in a timely manner.
Members observed that the department should have taken prompt action and referred the matters to NAB much earlier. They argued that delays had hindered efforts to determine responsibility and address potential losses to the national exchequer.
NAB Investigation Ordered
PAC-I directed that all four audit paras under consideration, collectively involving nearly Rs1 billion, be formally referred to NAB for further investigation. The committee instructed the accountability watchdog to complete its inquiry on a priority basis and submit a detailed report within three months.
The Punjab Assembly session has been called for June 8 to discuss further actions.
