Once presented in the National Assembly, the reports, which cover all federal government departments, will be taken up one by one by the PAC and principal accounting officers concerned will be asked to explain their position and in cases of fraud individual responsibilities may be fixed. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The government laid down on Friday audit reports for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, unearthing mind-boggling cases of embezzlement and mismanagement of public funds.

The reports will be taken up by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly in coming months.

Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, presented reports of the Auditor General of Pakistan relating to the accounts of the federation for the two financial years under Article 171 of the Constitution.

Once presented in the National Assembly, the reports, which cover all federal government departments, will be taken up one by one by the PAC and principal accounting officers concerned will be asked to explain their position and in cases of fraud individual responsibilities may be fixed.

Starting with audit findings about defence services for 2010-2011, federal auditors found out nine different cases where they highlighted weak financial control in utilising Rs3.118 billion ($5.844 million).

In all these cases, prescribed rules have not been followed and officers concerned have been found lacking direction.

In 12 cases, Rs6.557 billion was spent in violation of rules and Rs84 million has been shown embezzled in five different cases in defence services.

Under the irregular and unauthorised expenditure, Rs284 million was shown in seven cases. In total, 56 audit paras were printed in the report on defence that will be discussed by the PAC.

OFF THE RAILS: Pakistan Railways audit report for 2010-2011 confirmed stories about rampant corruption in the organisation.

According to the report, Railways suffered a loss of Rs830 million because of sale of scrap at throwaway rates.

There were five registered cases of theft of material valued at Rs59 million. Pilferage of equipment and fittings from rolling stock cost the organisation Rs151 million.

Injudicious evaluation of tenders caused a loss of Rs558 million to the organisation. Scraps having estimated value of Rs861 million was awaiting disposal, depreciating every day.

The railways didn’t harness potential earnings of Rs479 millions because of non-leasing of 15,989 acres of agricultural land.

The auditors revealed that lube oil was reused in locomotives and power vans, affecting their life and performance.

The ministry of petroleum and natural resources failed to realise government dues worth Rs49.614 billion in 13 different cases.

There is short-realisation of government dues worth Rs2.377 billion.

A loss of Rs2.866 billion has been reported in another case of miscalculation. The auditors observed misclassification of petroleum levy worth Rs1.9 billion.

The audit report on the accounts of federal government (civil) for 2010-2011 carried 11 cases of embezzlement of public money through fictitious and fudged payments amounting to Rs2.407 billion.

There were 27 cases of irregular expenditures in violation of rules amounting to Rs6.09 billion.

The auditors have pointed out 25 cases of non-recovery casting Rs1.519 billion.

In three cases, irregularities pertaining to Rs1.3 billion have been pointed out. In 17 cases, internal control amounting to Rs9.53 billion has also been notices.

Accounts of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) for 2010-2011, has notices of irregular and unauthorised payments of Rs4.388 billion.

Moreover, recoveries worth Rs3.678 billion were pointed out in 35 different cases. Lack of internal control was mentioned in 15 cases.

Things are not much different in the audit report of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) for 2010-2011.

It carried five cases of fraud worth Rs32 million.

Misappropriation and shortage of material was noticed in five different cases costing the exchequer Rs222 million.

There were two cases of non-production of record of Rs5.176 billion.

Violation in operational rules and procedures was observed in 67 different cases, worth Rs32 billion and $609 million. In six cases, financial indiscipline was pointed out worth Rs604 million. The telecommunication had a similar story to tell.

The receivable management of the telecom entities remained weak, resulting in non-recovery of a huge amount of Rs14.858 billion pointed out in 18 different cases.

The misuse of power by senior officials led to a loss of Rs667 million. Expenditures in total violation of rules in 37 cases amounted to Rs10 billion. Loss to the exchequer because of non-auction of available spectrum worth Rs67 billion has also been mentioned in the report. Extravagant expenditures caused a loss of Rs84 million.

The report on the accounts of public sector enterprises such as PIA, NICL, Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and Pakistan Tobacco Board pointed out embezzlement of public money worth Rs1.269 billion in 10 different instances.

In 38 cases, a loss of Rs6.604 billion has been reported.

Recoveries and overpayments in 32 cases amounting to Rs8.8 billion were reported in the report.

Stoppage of public funds was noted in 11 instances amounting to Rs3.275 billion.

There were 28 cases of irregular expenditures worth Rs1.3 billion.