PAC Uncovers Irregularities in Social Welfare Department; Investment Board’s Millions Frozen in Bank Accounts

Quetta: The **Public Accounts Committee (PAC)** of the Balochistan Assembly has revealed **serious financial irregularities** in the **Department of Social Welfare** and the **Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT)** during the audit review of recent fiscal years.

The meeting, chaired by **Asghar Ali Tareen**, expressed strong displeasure over **unauthorized vehicle purchases**, **non-tendered expenditures worth millions**, and the **illegal retention of public funds** by the Investment Board in private bank accounts.

According to audit officials, during the **2020–21 fiscal year**, the Social Welfare Department **spent Rs14.489 million** on vehicle purchases without obtaining the required **proprietary certificates**. The committee ordered identification of the responsible officers and directed **strict disciplinary action** with a report to be submitted soon.

It was further disclosed that between **2019 and 2021**, the department made **purchases worth Rs10.082 million without open tendering**, a direct violation of financial rules. The committee **rejected the department’s justification** that the spending occurred under COVID-related circumstances, terming the three-year-long violations “unacceptable.” It ordered that all future procurements must strictly follow **PPRA regulations**.

The PAC also criticized the **inactive performance** of the Social Welfare Department and sought an explanation for its **failure to fulfill core responsibilities** under the **Rules of Business 2012**. Chairman Tareen noted that while the department’s **budget is insufficient**, the committee would work toward securing an increase in allocations.

In the second session, the committee reviewed audit paras related to the **Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade**. The audit report revealed that between **2018 and 2021**, the board **illegally retained Rs295.037 million** in bank accounts and failed to deposit the profit into the government treasury. The committee declared this practice a **serious violation of financial rules**, directing that **unused funds must be returned to the government by May 15 each year**.

The committee also expressed concern over the board’s **failure to deduct Rs2.122 million in taxes** and instructed that **100% recovery** be ensured in coordination with audit authorities.