LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee-I (PAC-I) has uncovered financial irregularities worth more than Rs 1. 1 billion in the Higher Education department and decided to refer the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigation. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by PAC-I Chairman and Member of the Punjab Assembly, Iftikhar Hussain Chachhar. The committee conducted a detailed review of 50 audit paragraphs relating to the higher education and school education departments. During the meeting, several serious financial and administrative irregularities were highlighted, including the non-deduction of income tax on installment payments, unauthorized expansion of project scopes beyond prescribed limits, the issuance of a Rs 400 million work guarantee before project completion, and the alleged unlawful approval of a project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The total value of these irregularities exceeds Rs 1. 1 billion. The committee also expressed strong concern over the Higher Education department’s failure to implement the directives of the Special Departmental Accounts Committee (SDAC) in a timely manner. The committee members observed that the cases should have been referred to NAB much earlier to prevent delays in determining responsibility and addressing potential losses to the national exchequer. The PAC-I directed that all four audit paragraphs under review, collectively involving Rs1 billion, be forwarded to the NAB for detailed investigation. The committee instructed that the inquiry be completed on a priority basis and that a comprehensive report be submitted within three months. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public resources, promoting transparency, and strengthening financial accountability by ensuring timely and effective action on audit observations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Higher Education dept: PAC uncovers over Rs1bn irregularities
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