K-P audit exposes billions in irregularities

Samar Bilour demands impartial investigation

PESHAWAR:

Adviser to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor on Information and Public Relations, Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement, Samar Haroon Bilour, has expressed serious concern over billions of rupees in financial irregularities and accounting discrepancies highlighted in the Audit Report for FY 2024-25.

In a press statement, she said expenditures amounting to Rs72.46 billion could not be fully verified, while additional entries of Rs104.26 billion were recorded beyond the budget approved by the Provincial Assembly.

She said the report also identified Rs153.68 billion in development expenditures incorrectly recorded under various accounting heads and a negative balance of Rs39.58 billion in the Public Account.

Bilour further pointed out that records of external loans worth Rs98.89 billion were incomplete, while payments of Rs51.85 billion against foreign loans and interest remained unverified. Records of provincial domestic loans had not been updated since 2017-18, while federal government loan records had remained incomplete since 2013-14.

She said additional entries were also identified in the development budget and key departments, including Health, Education, Police and Highways.

Calling for an impartial investigation, she stressed that public money was a national trust and those responsible for its management must be held accountable wherever irregularities were established.

Meanwhile, Samar Haroon Bilour has formally assumed charge of the Department of Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement.

On the occasion, she expressed her gratitude to the Governor for reposing confidence in her and entrusting her with this important responsibility.