Pakistan’s Auditor General has flagged serious irregularities in government spending for the fiscal year 2024-25, with one of the most striking revelations being the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) procurement of laptops at inflated prices. According to the audit, this single decision resulted in a financial loss of nearly Rs. 130 million to the national treasury.
Billions Spent Without Parliamentary Approval
The audit report, released Tuesday, paints a troubling picture of financial governance. It disclosed that grants totaling Rs. 513 billion were issued without going through Parliament—an act that bypasses the constitutional requirement of legislative oversight on public spending.
Equally concerning, around Rs. 265 billion allocated to 175 federal departments simply lapsed, meaning the money was neither used nor redirected. Another Rs. 212 billion in grant money expired because ministries failed to surrender the unused funds on time.
Supplementary Grants and Overspending
The report also highlighted misuse of the supplementary grant system. Ministries collectively demanded an additional Rs. 24 billion without proper scrutiny and then exceeded their already approved allocations by another Rs. 12 billion. This practice, auditors noted, reflects weak financial discipline and raises questions about transparency in budget execution.
Autonomy of Attorney General’s Office Questioned
Beyond financial irregularities, the Auditor General also raised a governance issue: the Attorney General of Pakistan’s office is functioning as a sub-office of the Law Ministry instead of operating independently as a constitutional body. This undermines the institution’s autonomy, which is crucial for maintaining checks and balances within the legal system.
Wheat Dues Still Unsettled
The audit further pointed to a lingering liability—federal entities and provincial governments collectively owe Rs. 214 billion in wheat-related dues. These outstanding payments reflect broader inefficiencies in managing state-owned resources and intergovernmental financial obligations.
