The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has directed the Director General Audit, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), to evaluate a complaint of alleged irregularities raised by the chairman of the Finance Committee in KP, concerning provincial departments. The decision follows a formal request from MPA Arbab Muhammad Usman Khan for a comprehensive public audit of the KP government.
Referral to Director General Audit KP
According to an official source, the AGP has referred the matter to the Director General Audit, KP, for further action related to auditing provincial government departments. The Director General will assess the situation and submit an audit schedule if deemed necessary. The AGP will provide final approval for the audit plan, the source added.
Concerns Raised by MPA Usman Khan
In a letter dated July 2 to the AGP, Usman Khan, who also chairs the Standing Committee on Finance, flagged concerns over budget overruns, delayed projects, weak financial controls, and repeated audit observations. He formally requested a comprehensive public audit of the provincial government, citing concerns over financial management and service delivery.
Khan stated that the audit should focus on major development expenditures, procurement practices, public service delivery, use of supplementary grants, and the performance of key departments. He noted that the request was prompted by recurring issues including budget overruns, large supplementary grants, underutilization of development funds, project delays, weak financial controls, and repeated audit observations.
Need for Systemic Improvement
“A comprehensive audit would help identify systemic weaknesses, improve value for money, strengthen financial discipline, and enhance public confidence in government institutions,” Khan wrote. For reasons of practicality, efficiency, and accessibility of records, he proposed that the audit begin in Peshawar to allow better coordination with provincial departments. He urged the Auditor General to take necessary action at the earliest, stressing the need to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and for approved purposes.
