PAC body reviews Ministry’s audit objections, probes irregularities

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday took up audit objections relating to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and questioned alleged financial irregularities, including Rs144 million in unverified scholarship payments by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Workers Welfare Board and the allotment of discounted plots to ministry employees under the OPF Housing Scheme in Lahore. The meeting, chaired by convener Shahida Akhtar Ali, reviewed audit paras relating to the ministry for the period from 2010-11 to 2013-14. During the meeting, the audit authorities raised objections over Rs144 million paid by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Workers Welfare Board to Iqra University under scholarship and university fee payments without proper record. Audit officials informed the committee that the payments had been made since 2007 and the matter had already been converted into a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) case due to alleged irregularities. NAB officials told the committee that a reference had already been filed and the case was currently under trial. They added that a total of 48 accused had been nominated in the reference. Expressing concern, Shahida Akhtar Ali remarked that it appeared to be a “very serious case” as payments had allegedly been made to the university without supporting records. Committee member Bilal Mandokhail questioned whether Iqra University had also been made part of the NAB investigation. The committee deferred the matter for further examination at a future meeting. The sub-committee also examined an audit objection regarding the allotment of 11 plots in the OPF Housing Scheme, Lahore, to officials of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis at discounted rates. Audit officials informed the committee that ministry employees were not eligible for such allotments and that the plots had been offered at concessional prices. They added that the matter was currently sub judice. The convener sought details of the officials who had allegedly misused their authority in the allotment process. Officials informed the committee that the plots had been allotted through a board resolution and were later cancelled through another resolution, adding that five allottees had returned the plots. The committee directed the authorities to include the names of officials responsible for the alleged misuse of authority in the record for further scrutiny. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026