QUETTA: The Balochistan Provincial Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered action against three former executive engineers of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Gwadar, over failure to provide records relating to Rs590.813 million in alleged unauthorised liabilities and other financial irregularities.
The committee reviewed in detail the special audit report concerning POL (petrol, oil and lubricants) and repair and maintenance expenditures of the water supply schemes under the supervision of the executive engineers, of PHED, Gwadar, for the financial years 2018-19 to 2020-21, along with the audit year 2022-23 and PAC directives issued on May 29, 2025.
The audit report identified Rs590.813m in unauthorized liabilities, allegedly incurred on account of POL charges and repair and maintenance of water supply schemes without prior approval from the competent authority.
The committee was informed that the executive engineers who had served during the relevant period from 2018 to 2021 were not present at the meeting. The PAC decided to provide the officers concerned a final opportunity to present their position at the next meeting of the committee.
Balochistan PAC reviews audit report on public health engineering department of Gwadar
They were directed to submit all relevant records and documentary evidence to the audit department and PAC before the next meeting.
The committee said that if the officers succeeded in substantiating their position through documentary evidence, the relevant audit para could be considered for settlement. Otherwise, recovery of funds would be made from the officials found guilty.
The PAC also directed that the three executive engineers concerned be placed officers on Special Duty (OSD) for allegedly failing to comply with PAC orders issued around one-and-a-half years ago, failing to provide records concerning Rs590.813m in public funds and allegedly demonstrating negligence and lack of accountability. The committee further ordered proceedings against them under the relevant rules.
PAC member Ubaidullah Gorgage warned that the committee could order registration of FIRs against the executive engineers if they continued to disregard its directives. He said the officers could also be summoned before the committee through the respective deputy commissioners.
Another member of the committee, Safia Fazal, said that since the department had failed to implement PAC directives for around one-and-a-half years, there was little justification for granting it further opportunities.
Member Rahmat Saleh Baloch expressed concern that the PHED appeared unwilling to hold itself accountable.
The committee also warned that if the investigation established serious wrongdoing, the matter could be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) or the Anti-Corruption Establishment of Balochistan.
According to the special audit report, the Directorate General of Audit, Balochistan, conducted a special audit of the accounts of the executive engineer, PHED Gwadar, in November 2022, covering POL and repair and maintenance expenditures of water supply schemes from 2018 to 2021.
The report found several major irregularities, including failure to record Rs590.813m in accrued liabilities in the accounts, non-deduction of Rs23.967m in income tax, irregular expenditure of Rs492.363m without inviting tenders, and Rs38.426m in unjustified or questionable expenditure on the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes during the drought period.
The audit also raised questions over POL and lubricant expenditures, citing inadequate maintenance of essential records and stock accounts.
The report observed that government rules were not fully followed in expenditure and procurement processes, resulting in financial irregularities.
The PAC meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen. Members Ubaidullah Gorgage, Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Rahmat Saleh Baloch and Safia Fazal attended the meeting.
Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2026
