QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a strong warning of strict accountability for the Energy Department after uncovering massive financial mismanagement and irregularities amounting to billions of rupees.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen, audit officials revealed shocking details. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the department received Rs. 10.4 billion but let Rs. 2.31 billion lapse without being used, drawing fierce criticism from lawmakers for irresponsible budgeting.
The committee discovered that a staggering Rs. 40 billion was paid to power companies (K-Electric and QESCO) for tube well subsidies without any meter readings, based purely on estimates. Members condemned this as “open malpractice” and “sheer looting.”
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Furthermore, it was revealed that landlords owe QESCO Rs. 500 billion and government departments owe Rs. 54 billion in unpaid electricity bills. Despite these colossal unpaid sums and the department continuing to make payments, many areas outside Quetta receive only 3-4 hours of electricity per day.
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PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen warned that if the department’s non-cooperative attitude continues, the case will be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The committee unanimously resolved to direct the Chief Secretary to take strict disciplinary action against any secretary who fails to return unspent funds on time.
