Maps
Magazine

WATCH

Audit Report Reveals Over Rs 78 Billion in Irregularities within Ministry of Communications
The Auditor General's report reveals over Rs 78 billion in irregularities within Pakistan's Ministry of Communications, with Pakistan Post accounting for Rs 50 billion in losses. Corruption, theft, and procurement issues are major concerns.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-09-12
Audit Report Reveals Over Rs 78 Billion in Irregularities within Ministry of Communications

A new audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan has unveiled shocking irregularities amounting to over Rs 78 billion within the Ministry of Communications. The report highlights several corruption, mismanagement, and procurement issues, particularly within Pakistan Post, which accounts for the majority of the losses.

Key Findings from the Audit Report

The audit report revealed that Rs 50 billion out of the total irregularities were found in Pakistan Post alone. The findings expose a troubling range of financial malpractices, including corruption, theft, and mismanagement of funds. Among the most significant revelations were:

·       Rs 284.2 million in reported theft and corruption within the Pakistan Post Office.

·       Rs 1.2569 billion in irregularities within the HR department of Pakistan Post.

·       A massive Rs 2.84 billion in irregularities related to various purchases made by Pakistan Post.

In addition to the issues within Pakistan Post, the report identified other financial discrepancies within the ministry, including:

·       Rs 4.58 billion in losses linked to commercial bank accounts.

·       Rs 9.42 billion in non-recoveries in 12 cases within the Ministry of Communications.

·       Over Rs 58 billion in irregularities across 13 other cases.

Irregularities in Procurement and Management

The audit flagged serious irregularities in the procurement process within Pakistan Post. It found violations of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, which are designed to ensure transparency and fairness in government contracts. The report recommended that the Ministry of Communications take immediate action to ensure that procurement processes follow these rules strictly in the future.

Furthermore, Pakistan Post was called upon to adopt effective measures to turn around its financial situation. With many post offices operating at a loss, the Auditor General urged the Ministry to explore ways to make these branches profitable.

Recommendations from the Auditor General

In light of these significant findings, the Auditor General made several key recommendations:

1.     Accountability Measures: It is imperative that the responsible individuals within Pakistan Post and the Ministry of Communications be held accountable for these irregularities. The report stressed that disciplinary actions should be initiated against those involved in corruption and theft.

2.     Adherence to PPRA Rules: The Ministry should ensure strict compliance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules to prevent procurement irregularities in the future. Transparency in government spending must be prioritized.

3.     Financial Management Improvements: The report recommended that the Pakistan Post management work to implement more effective financial controls and measures to recover losses from non-performing post offices.

4.     Profitability of Loss-Making Post Offices: The Ministry must take proactive steps to restructure loss-making post offices and work towards their financial sustainability.

Impact on Public Trust and the Government

The revelation of such large-scale financial mismanagement within a key government ministry is likely to have a major impact on public trust in the government’s ability to manage state institutions efficiently. The Ministry of Communications, which is responsible for several important national services, including the Pakistan Post, has come under intense scrutiny following the audit findings.

As these irregularities come to light, there is increased pressure on the government to address corruption and improve transparency in its institutions. The Ministry of Communications has yet to issue a formal response to the audit report, but it is expected that further investigations and corrective actions will follow.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Accountability

The Auditor General’s report serves as a wake-up call for the Ministry of Communications to address these deep-rooted issues within its operations. With over Rs 78 billion in irregularities, including significant losses, theft, and mismanagement, the government faces the urgent task of restoring transparency, accountability, and financial health to Pakistan Post and the Ministry as a whole.

The public and opposition parties are likely to demand swift and decisive actions to address the findings of the report. The report could also lead to calls for greater oversight of public institutions to prevent similar irregularities from occurring in the future.

 
Tagged:

Pakistan

corruption

PakistanPost

AuditReport
Share News: