QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed severe criticism over the provincial government’s failure to prioritize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its “poor planning” leading to inefficient use of public funds.
Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday, PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen reviewed thematic audit paras of the Planning and Development (P&D) Department. The committee was informed that the Balochistan government did not integrate SDGs when formulating its development plans for 2021-22, violating instructions from the Federal Support Unit. No comprehensive program to eradicate hunger and poverty has been launched.
A glaring violation of the Balochistan Public Finance Management Act was also exposed. For 320 new projects costing Rs 127 billion, only 18% of required funds were allocated, against a mandatory 33%. The committee warned this would cause delays and cost overruns.
In a shocking revelation, the audit showed that despite spending Rs 2.53 billion on certain schemes, “no significant progress” was made. Furthermore, out of a total PSDP allocation of Rs 189 million, a meager Rs 5.4 million was distributed across key social sectors.
Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen directed concerned departments to adopt SDGs on priority and ensure effective resource utilization, reminding them of Pakistan’s international commitments. The committee also ordered the P&D Department to submit progress reports on 326 projects, questioning their completion status.
Meanwhile the Government of Balochistan has signed an agreement with the Land Information Management System (LIMS) to digitize land records across the province.
The agreement was formalized during a simple yet dignified signing ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta.
On behalf of the Government of Balochistan, Senior Member Board of Revenue Qambar Dashti signed the agreement, while the Chief Executive Officer of LIMS signed on behalf of the organization.
Under the first phase of the project, land records in 25 districts of Balochistan will be digitized using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that digital land records would help reduce land-related disputes and provide improved services to the public.
