PESHAWAR: An audit report has unveiled irregularities of over Rs. 64.79 billion in the revenue and expenditures of local governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
According to the report, the District Accounts Office failed to respond to audit objections, leading to the decision to refer the matter to the Public Accounts Committee.
Under Section 36(3) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, it is mandatory for District Accounts Officers to reconcile the accounts of local governments on a quarterly and annual basis.
Similarly, these accounts should be separately maintained for government and local funds and submitted to the provincial government, the Auditor General, and the council. However, the audit report highlights incomplete records and irregularities amounting to billions of rupees in the expenditure accounts.
According to the Auditor General’s report, the highest irregularities in terms of amount were found in Peshawar, where irregularities of over PKR 16.21 billion were identified over a four-year period. Other districts with significant irregularities include Haripur (PKR 7.509 billion), Swat (PKR 5.1 billion), Mansehra (PKR 4.358 billion), Lower Dir (PKR 3.567 billion), Abbottabad (PKR 3.335 billion), and Swabi (PKR 2.985 billion).
The report also highlights irregularities in Tank, Upper Kohistan, Malakand, Batagram, Bannu, Hangu, Kohat, Chitral, Torghar, Lower Kohistan, Kolai Palas, Karak, Nowshera, Kurram, Shangla, and South Waziristan, amounting to billions of rupees.
The audit report raised concerns about financial mismanagement and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in local government finances. It is expected that the Public Accounts Committee will thoroughly investigate these irregularities to ensure the proper utilization of public funds and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
