Audit report flags Rs16.54 billion in excess public works payments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: Audit reports on the use of public funds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have pointed to financial irregularities worth billions of rupees. Investigations against the provincial leadership have also gathered pace.

According to the report, excess payments of Rs16.54 billion were made in 29 districts under the public works budget head (G10113) from 2016 to April 2025. Rs146.59 billion was deposited in the accounts, while payments of Rs163.13 billion were made. This produced a large gap that could not be explained.

The Controller General of Accounts has said the total amount of suspected embezzlement could reach Rs56.5 billion. The investigations have identified the Communications and Works, Public Health Engineering and Irrigation departments.

Adviser on Information Samar Haroon Bilour told journalists that former Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is currently in “protective custody”. She said evidence is being gathered against him over alleged financial irregularities. The irregularities were put at billions of rupees.

A preliminary inquiry has identified financial corruption and irregularities in various provincial departments, including the Sehat Card programme. Arrest warrants have been issued. Once the initial investigations are complete, the cases are to be handed over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Establishment.

The audit reports for the financial year 2024-25 also mention incomplete records and weaknesses in the procurement system. Federal and provincial audit reports have raised questions about financial oversight and budget transparency because of incomplete loan records. According to the auditors, these gaps in the accounts of expenditure, development funds and external loans pose a risk to the province’s financial stability.