Millions in Irregularities at Civil Hospital Quetta, Medicines Worth Lakhs Missing from Central Store

QUETTA – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly has expressed strong indignation over massive financial irregularities at Sandeman Provincial Hospital (Civil Hospital) Quetta, including the disappearance of medicines worth millions from the central store and the illegal procurement of drugs worth Rs 30 million.

The PAC meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen, was held at the Committee Room and attended by members Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Muhammad Khan Lehri, Safia Fazal, Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Wali Muhammad Noorzai, along with Balochistan Assembly Secretary Tahir Shah Kakar, DG Audit Shuja Ali, Special Secretary Health Shaheed Baloch, Special Secretary PAC Siraj Lehri, Additional Secretary Law Saeed Iqbal, MS Civil Hospital Dr Hadi, DG Health Dr Ameen, and other officials.

Rs 9.576 Billion Spent, Yet No Accounts Provided

The meeting reviewed the special audit paras of Sandeman Provincial Hospital (SPH) for the year 2022-23. According to the audit, from 2017-18 to 2021-22, the hospital received Rs 10.443 billion, of which Rs 9.576 billion was spent. However, the department and hospital administration have been avoiding providing proper accounts, drawing sharp criticism from the committee.

Chairman PAC Asghar Ali Tareen expressed deep concern over the department’s failure to provide required records on time and its non-compliance with previous directives. “For the past one and a half years, the Health Department has only been presenting its stance before the committee, with no implementation of rules and regulations. The department is showing no respect for the Assembly or the PAC,” he said.

Tareen stated that despite the PAC’s constitutional and legal mandate to ensure transparency, accountability, and financial discipline in the use of public resources, the department’s attitude was creating an impression that it does not take the committee seriously.

Illegal Procurement of Medicines — Rs 30.016 Million Audit Objection

The meeting reviewed an audit para concerning the illegal procurement of medicines worth Rs 30.016 million. The special audit revealed significant irregularities in the procurement process. The supply order was issued to M/s FDL, Peshawar, while payment was made to M/s Health Tech, Quetta.

The audit raised objections over discrepancies between supply orders and bills, lack of entries in stock registers, and unavailability of delivery challans and inspection reports. The matter was reported to the department on May 10, 2023, but no response was received. In a subsequent DAC meeting, the department claimed M/s FDL was the manufacturing agency and M/s Health Tech was its authorized distributor. However, despite DAC directives, the required records — including M/s FDL’s consent, stock registers, delivery challans, inspection reports, batch numbers, and other details — were not provided.

Chairman PAC expressed strong displeasure, stating that the committee’s time and authority should not be taken lightly. He directed officials to complete all required records and submit them to the committee within 15 days.

Rs 22.825 Million Worth of Medicines Missing from Central Store

The committee also reviewed an audit para concerning the disappearance of medicines worth Rs 22.825 million from the central store. Under GFR 151 Vol-I, the store officer is responsible for ensuring the safe custody, proper maintenance, complete records, inventory, and accurate accounting of government stores to prevent theft, loss, fraud, or misuse of public resources.

According to the special audit, medicines worth Rs 22.825 million were found missing from the central store during the fiscal year 2019-20. Although the pharmacist in charge brought the matter to management’s attention, it was never resolved. Delivery challans and inspection committee reports were also missing from official records.

In the DAC meeting, the department claimed no medicines were missing and provided certain records for audit verification. However, discrepancies were found between opening and closing balances in the stock register, and some entries appeared to be backdated. The administration failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for these discrepancies.

PAC Members Express Anger, Warn of NAB Referral

PAC members Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Muhammad Khan Lehri, Safia Fazal, Rehmat Saleh Baloch, and Wali Muhammad Noorzai expressed anger, noting that this was the fourth meeting on these audit paras and the department had already been given multiple opportunities. The department was given a deadline in September 2025 as well, but no progress has been made.

Chairman Tareen warned that if a satisfactory explanation and complete records regarding the missing medicines and irregularities were not provided, he would consider recommending the matter be sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or recommending the registration of an FIR.

Health Department’s Performance Limited to TikTok and Social Media

Tareen expressed regret that billions of rupees were being spent on the Health Department, yet desired results were not visible. “The Health Department’s performance is extremely concerning — activity is only visible on social media and TikTok, while the ground situation is entirely different,” he said.

He also raised concern over reports that some suspended employees were still attending offices, reflecting administrative weakness and non-compliance with orders.

“PAC’s time cannot be wasted. If departments do not attend meetings with full preparation, it will be difficult to move the committee’s work forward effectively,” he said. He made it clear that he would not run future meetings in this manner and that the Chief Secretary of Balochistan would be informed in writing. The matter would also be presented in the Assembly.

At the conclusion of the meeting, on the request of committee members, the relevant department was directed to complete all required records, explanations, and documents regarding both audit paras and submit them to the Public Accounts Committee within 15 days.