PAC Expresses Strong Anger Over Quetta Projects, Demands Explanation for Sabzal Road Demolition, Orders Complete Record in 7 Days

**Quetta:** The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly, chaired by Asghar Ali Trin, held a session in the committee room to review the status of development projects in the province. Committee members Zmarak Khan Achakzai, Zabad Ali Reki, Rahmat Saleh Baloch, Safia Bibi, and Fazal Qadir Mandokhel attended the meeting. Key officials present included Secretary Assembly Tahir Shah Kakr, Director General Audit Shuja Ali, Secretary Planning & Development (P&D) Asif Ali Farukh, Additional Secretary PAC Siraj Laghari, Additional Secretary Law Saeed Iqbal, and Chief Accounts Officer PAC Syed Idris Agha.

The meeting examined thematic audit paras of the P&D Department, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fund allocation, PSDP estimates for fiscal year 2021-22, project delays, poor planning, and ineffective use of funds. It was revealed that Balochistan had largely ignored SDGs while planning development projects, failing to implement any comprehensive programs to eradicate hunger or reduce poverty.

Out of a total PSDP allocation of Rs 189,196 million, only Rs 5,452 million was allocated to sectors like Planning & Development, human resources, women’s development, environment & climate change, excise & taxation, population welfare, and social welfare, violating Federal Support Unit instructions. PAC criticized the poor planning, stating that SDGs could not be prioritized effectively, threatening sustainable development.

Chairman Asghar Ali Trin directed the relevant departments to adopt SDGs as a priority and ensure effective use of available resources, emphasizing that Pakistan is internationally committed to these goals.

The committee also expressed concern over insufficient funding for new development projects. During FY 2021-22, out of 326 new projects totaling Rs 127,149.90 million, only Rs 23,953.33 million (18%) was allocated, far below the 33% required under Balochistan Public Finance Management Act 2020, Section 16(2), potentially causing delays and cost overruns.

PAC demanded that the P&D Department submit detailed progress reports for all 326 projects and provide complete records, clarifying whether the projects have been completed. Special concern was raised about projects where Rs 2,534.807 million was spent with no visible progress, mostly on land compensation and utility payments, equating this to public funds being wasted.

The committee voiced strong anger over delays in the Quetta Package projects, poor supervision, and the recent demolition of newly constructed roads, including Sabzal Road, ordering the department to explain why such demolitions were carried out before proper planning, resulting in a waste of billions of rupees. Additionally, the road expansion near Balochistan University remains incomplete, with the justification of trees in court being factually misleading, as only two small trees exist at the site.

The PAC ordered all departments to submit the complete record within seven days and stressed strict monitoring to prevent further misuse of public funds.