QUETA:
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Gwadar and Dera Bugti to transfer billions of rupees unutilized in dormant accounts to the government treasury.
The meeting, chaired by PAC president Asghar Ali Tareen, addressed financial irregularities and misuse of public funds, emphasizing accountability in the administration of Balochistan.
During the session, the Balochistan Directorate General of Audit revealed that 50 accounts under the management of DC Gwadar had over Rs 14.5 billion in unutilized funds, and billions had already been refunded.
The committee ordered that funds in dormant accounts be transferred to the treasury within six months, unless the rightful owners claimed compensation.
Public notices will be posted to notify eligible claimants. Unclaimed funds will be returned to the public treasury.
In Dera Bugti, a dormant account containing Rs 25.82 billion was identified. The PAC ordered the immediate deposit of these funds into the treasury to address decades-long financial mismanagement.
The committee further directed that developing countries submit detailed reports on the utilization of funds within two months. The PAC president emphasized that heirs must obtain succession certificates to ensure that the legitimate beneficiaries receive their shares.
The PAC’s actions highlight the commitment to enforcing financial transparency and resolving long-standing issues of mismanagement in Balochistan.
Financial mismanagement in Balochistan remains a critical issue, seriously affecting the development of the province and its ability to address pressing socio-economic challenges.
Despite substantial financial allocations, misallocation, under-utilization and irregularities in spending have hampered progress in key areas such as education, health and infrastructure.
Recent statistics highlight the depth of the problem. In fiscal year 2022-23, the Auditor General of Pakistan identified financial irregularities worth over Rs 26.54 billion in Balochistan.
Although the province generated approximately Rs 491.93 billion in revenue, it incurred expenses of Rs 503.944 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of around Rs 12 billion. This reflects a continuing trend of inefficient financial management and lack of strategic planning.
The province’s development funds also reveal marked imbalances. Nearly 74% of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) funds were allocated to just four departments (Public Health Engineering, Communications and Works, Local Government and Irrigation), while the remaining sectors including education and healthcare , they were left with just 26.%.
Even more concerning, financial experts say, is the fact that less than 1% of the funds went to other critical areas, raising concerns about the equitable distribution of resources.
Furthermore, only 30% of the allocated development funds were used, reflecting inefficiencies in planning and execution. This underutilization undermines the province’s ability to address basic needs and develop sustainable infrastructure, further exacerbating the challenges faced by its population.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Balochistan government presented a budget of Rs 930 billion, claiming a surplus of Rs 25 billion.
