The Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC-I) on Tuesday ordered the recovery of more than Rs65 million and launched inquiries into alleged financial irregularities in the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department and its subordinate agencies, including the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), during the previous government.
Committee Meeting Details
The directives were issued during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee-I chaired by Iftikhar Ahmad Chhachhar, where audit paras relating to the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department were taken up for examination. During the meeting, audit observations highlighted financial irregularities in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
Non-Recovery from Signboards and Advertisements
The committee also ordered an inquiry into the non-recovery of dues from signboards and advertisements, observing that the lapse had allegedly benefited contractors and advertising firms. According to the audit report, recoveries amounting to Rs62 million are still pending.
PAC Chairman Expresses Concern
PAC Chairman Iftikhar Ahmad Chhachhar expressed concern over the delay and directed the department to ensure prompt recovery of the outstanding amount. The committee also expressed displeasure over the non-recovery of more than Rs3.1 million from the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), Rawalpindi.
Inquiries Ordered
Chairman Chhachhar directed Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal to initiate inquiries into the irregularities and ensure recovery of the outstanding amounts from the responsible officials. Responding to the committee, the housing secretary assured members that an inquiry against the LDA director general would be conducted and that recoveries would be pursued. He pledged to submit a compliance report to the committee within four weeks.
Chairman’s Remarks
Questioning the department’s performance, the PAC chairman remarked, “Why is your department not making these recoveries on its own? Why does it act only after directions from the committee?” He also instructed all government departments to strengthen their financial management and internal control systems to prevent such irregularities in the future.
