Audit Report Uncovers Over Rs1.17 Billion Irregularities in Quetta Metropolitan Corporation

Quetta:A damning audit report by the **Auditor General of Pakistan** has revealed **financial irregularities exceeding Rs1.17 billion** in the **Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC)** during the fiscal year **2023-24**. The report exposes widespread mismanagement in revenue collection, unauthorized expenditures, and violations of financial procedures.

According to the audit, over **Rs103 million** collected from **bicycle/motorcycle stands, stalls, NADRA birth and death certificates**, and marriage fees were allegedly **misused**. The corporation also failed to properly renew shop rental agreements and issued illegal contracts, causing irregularities worth **Rs1.78 billion**.

A major revelation was that QMC **recovered only Rs36.4 million out of a targeted Rs823.6 million** in taxes, resulting in a massive **revenue shortfall of over Rs792.9 million**.

Additional key findings include:

* **Failure to auction a petrol pump**, causing a loss of **Rs65.6 million**.
* **Lease of Imdad Hotel** not renewed at market rate, resulting in substantial financial loss.
* **Inaction regarding empty plots** on Brewery Road, Sariab Road, Toghi Road, and other key locations.
* **Illegal approvals** for converting residential buildings to commercial use without fulfilling legal requirements.
* **51 out of 54 shops** built on Joint Road were left unrented, incurring **Rs34.3 million** in losses.
* **Non-collection of rent** from 50 shops and cabins on Prince Road led to **Rs15 million** in losses.
* **Bakra Piri contract** mismanagement cost over **Rs14.5 million**.
* **Rs9.6 million** in taxes remained uncollected.
* **Solid waste collection** work worth **Rs3.8 million** was split to avoid tendering in the District Council.
* **Miscalculation of property transfer shares** resulted in over **Rs15.3 million** in losses.

The audit also found that **Rs18.4 million** were spent under the pretext of “emergencies” without proper tendering, and **no documentation** was provided to justify these expenses. Furthermore, **extra LED lights** were installed on **239 poles instead of the approved 174**, leading to an overpayment of **Rs4.3 million** to the contractor.

Other development work irregularities included:

* **Rs2.8 million** in unauthorized payments for unspecified projects.
* **Rs3.7 million** in unapproved changes to project scopes.
* Over **Rs1.5 million** paid unjustifiably for materials like concrete.

The audit paints a picture of **severe misgovernance** and lack of oversight within Quetta’s municipal body, calling for **urgent accountability and transparency reforms** to protect public resources.