Energy dept, its allied departments: PAC reviews audit paras, orders recovery of dues

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee-I (PAC-I) on Wednesday reviewed audit paras relating to the energy department, its allied departments, and various autonomous bodies, expressing concern over financial losses and directing the recovery of outstanding amounts. The meeting was held at the Punjab Assembly under the chairmanship of PAC-I Chairperson Iftikhar Hussain Chachhar, MPA. Officials from the Punjab Assembly and relevant government departments attended the session. During the meeting, the committee examined audit paras pertaining to the energy department, its attached departments and autonomous bodies, as well as the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), its affiliated departments. The audit observations included losses resulting from a fire incident at a gas turbine, the expected financial burden on consumers due to substantial foreign exchange expenditures incurred in arbitration proceedings at the London Court of International Arbitration, excess payment of insurance premiums in violation of NEPRA rules, irregular procurement of Toyota Hilux vehicles, losses caused by the non-investment of surplus funds, failure to obtain additional performance securities, and the irregular hiring of an office building without rent assessment and a commercialization certificate. The committee also reviewed audit paras concerning unauthorized payment of remuneration in addition to salaries, grant of utility allowances to employees without authorization, irregular payment of three bonuses to employees of TTB, failure to terminate the services of an officer during the probation period despite poor performance, and irregular hiring of consultants. Expressing concern over the financial irregularities, the committee directed the relevant departments to make concerted efforts to recover all outstanding amounts. It further instructed the departments to ensure that pending recoveries are completed on a priority basis. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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