QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly has uncovered major financial irregularities in the provincial Energy Department, exposing losses worth billions of rupees.
An investigation revealed the department failed to utilise Rs2.31 billion in allocated funds, paid Rs40 billion in subsidies without audit, and ignored Rs554 billion in unpaid electricity bills owed by landlords and government bodies.
Audit officials told the committee that in FY2021–22 the department received Rs10.4 billion but spent only Rs8 billion, allowing Rs2.31 billion to lapse. Lawmakers condemned the waste, with Wali Muhammad Noorzai calling it “a serious crime” and Fazal Qadir Mando Khel warning that responsible officials would be held to account.
The committee decided to write to the Chief Secretary, ordering disciplinary action against any secretary who fails to return more than 5% of unspent funds to the Finance Department.
Members also flagged irregularities in subsidised tube wells, noting Rs10 billion was paid to K-Electric and Rs30 billion to QESCO without meter readings, relying only on estimates. Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen warned that persistent violations could be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
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The PAC expressed alarm that landlords owe QESCO Rs500 billion and government departments Rs54 billion in unpaid bills, while the Energy Department continues disbursing payments. Despite the arrears, areas outside Quetta receive only 3–4 hours of power daily, highlighting severe mismanagement.
