KARACHI:
Every year, government allocates substantial resources for roads, education, healthcare, sanitation, water supply and other public services under the annual budget. The real measure of such spending, however, is whether ordinary citizens can see the intended benefits in their daily lives. In many communities, residents continue to raise concerns about damaged roads, inadequate sanitation, insufficient facilities in public schools, limited healthcare services and other shortcomings. These problems do not by themselves prove that funds have been misused, but they do raise legitimate questions about planning, implementation, monitoring and transparency.
Official audit records show why stronger oversight is necessary. The Auditor General of Pakistan has published audit findings concerning Balochistan’s government accounts, including observations on irregular expenditure and weaknesses in financial controls. In one audit covering the provincial health sector, auditors reported weaknesses in medicine procurement, including missing stock registers and inadequate documentation. The audit also identified Rs138.711 million in irregular expenditure relating to flood-relief activities in the Health Department during 2022–23. These are audit findings requiring departmental response and corrective action; they should not be interpreted as proof that every public project or official has misused funds.
The solution is greater transparency rather than merely making accusations. Development schemes should clearly display their approved cost, contractor, timeline and scope of work. Progress should be monitored regularly, payments should be linked to verified work, and audit observations should be followed up until resolved.
Citizens also have a role to play. Public property should be protected, complaints should be documented, and residents should use lawful channels to report suspected irregularities. Responsible journalism can further strengthen accountability by asking authorities for evidence-based responses. Public money comes from the people, and its proper use should therefore remain a matter of public interest. What citizens need is not simply the announcement of development schemes but visible, functional and sustainable public services.
I hope this issue will receive attention from the concerned authorities so that transparency, monitoring and accountability become stronger at every level of public spending.
Parigul Badar
Turbat
