QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly has flagged massive financial irregularities in the provincial energy department, warning of strict accountability measures if mismanagement continues.
In a session chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen, audit officials revealed that during FY 2021–22 the department was allocated Rs10.4 billion, but only Rs8 billion was utilised, leaving Rs2.31 billion to lapse. Lawmakers slammed the failure as irresponsible governance and poor budgeting.
Audit records further showed Rs10 billion paid to K-Electric and Rs30 billion to Qesco for subsidised tube wells without meter readings, relying solely on estimates — practices legislators denounced as “open malpractice” and “sheer looting.”
Committee members Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Wali Muhammad Noorzai, Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Safia Bibi, and Opposition Leader Younis Aziz Zehri strongly criticised the department. Mr Noorzai termed the wastage of nearly 30% of allocated funds “a serious crime,” while Mr Mandokhail pledged accountability for those responsible.
Chairman Tareen reminded officials that an inquiry ordered in 2021 was never conducted and warned the matter could be referred to NAB if negligence persisted. The PAC also resolved to press the chief secretary for disciplinary action against secretaries who fail to return over 5% of unspent funds.
Lawmakers expressed further outrage over mounting arrears: landlords across Balochistan owe Qesco Rs500 billion, while government departments owe another Rs54 billion. Despite these staggering dues, most areas outside Quetta receive just three to four hours of electricity daily, underscoring what the committee described as systematic mismanagement.
