PAC Slams Energy Department Over Billions in Irregularities, Warns of Action
Quetta:The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen, held a heated session on Tuesday, exposing massive irregularities and mismanagement within the Balochistan Energy Department.
The meeting, attended by committee members Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Wali Muhammad Noorzai, Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Safia Bibi, opposition leader Younus Aziz Zehri, and senior audit officials, revealed that during the fiscal year 2021–22 the department received Rs10.4 billion but spent only Rs8 billion, with Rs2.31 billion lapsing unused. Members termed the lapse a “criminal waste of resources,” blaming poor planning and negligence.
Even more alarming, the PAC disclosed that Rs40 billion in subsidies for tube wells were paid to K-Electric (Rs10 billion) and QESCO (Rs30 billion) without meter readings, based solely on estimates. Despite earlier PAC directives in 2021, no progress had been made in inquiries, prompting members to warn that the case may be referred to NAB if the department’s “irresponsible” approach continues.
Wali Muhammad Noorzai rejected excuses of vacant posts, while Fazal Qadir Mandokhail declared that those responsible “must be punished.” Members further expressed outrage that QESCO owes Rs500 billion in unpaid dues from landlords and Rs54 billion from government institutions, yet continues to receive subsidies without reconciliation.
The PAC also revealed that QESCO withheld Rs9.89 billion in electricity duty and Rs620 million in service tax (BSTS) from the provincial government, causing major losses to the treasury. The committee ordered full recovery within one month or warned of strict action against officials.
Chairman Tareen denounced the practice of issuing bills without meter readings as “sheer looting,” stressing that billions were being drained while most Balochistan cities receive only three to four hours of electricity supply.
Members concluded that the Energy Department’s inefficiency and corruption are bleeding the provincial exchequer. They vowed that future negligence and irregularities would not be tolerated.
