Audit Flags Over Rs. 222 Billion in Irregularities in Communications Ministry

An audit report has revealed financial irregularities exceeding Rs. 222 billion in the Communications Ministry during the fiscal year 2022-23. The irregularities encompassed cases of fraud, theft, recruitment, procurement, bank accounts, and other financial matters pertaining to the ministry and its departments, including Pakistan Post.

The audit highlighted 40 cases of fraud, theft, and robbery, amounting to Rs. 48.8 million. Four recruitment-related cases led to a loss of Rs. 2.73 billion. The Pakistan Postal Services was permitted to fill 3,938 vacancies, but 4,252 individuals were hired in grades 1 to 15 during the caretaker government's term. Of these, 314 were recruited based on political grounds, contravening the rules.

The report also disclosed five procurement cases that resulted in a loss of over Rs. 3.26 billion for the national treasury. Unlawful administrative dealings with a commercial bank incited an additional loss of Rs. 20.85 billion. Moreover, Pakistan Post opened excessive bank accounts, facilitating transactions worth Rs. 20 billion.

Another incident led to a loss of Rs. 492.5 million. The audit also uncovered recoveries of over Rs. 3.74 billion in 11 cases, with the majority stemming from 15 cases involving irregularities surpassing Rs. 194.54 billion. These findings emerged weeks after Pakistan Post announced increased charges for postal services.