Financial Irregularities Exceeding Rs 3.58 Billion Uncovered in 14 KP Departments.

PESHAWAR: Financial irregularities and questionable expenditures exceeding Rs 3.58 billion have been identified during an audit of 14 administrative departments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the audit report, questionable and non-transparent approval of government contracts worth more than Rs 1.205 billion was identified, along with excess payments exceeding Rs 908.1 million in development and construction projects and unauthorized expenditures of more than Rs 600 million. The report further highlighted financial losses exceeding Rs 378.5 million due to the failure of relevant authorities to take action against contractors despite violations of contractual agreements. During the first phase of the compliance audit for the financial year 2024–25, 14 administrative departments were audited out of 28 Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs) selected for examination. According to the report, recoveries amounting to Rs 117.09 million were made between January and December 2025, a figure also confirmed by audit authorities. The findings have raised serious questions about the use of public funds, financial oversight of development projects, transparency in government contract approvals, and accountability within the concerned departments. However, audit objections alone do not establish criminal wrongdoing or corruption; final responsibility will depend on departmental responses and further investigations.