QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday expressed serious concern over dormant bank accounts of different departments, unused public funds and delay in land compensation.

The committee’s meeting, which discussed these issues in detail, was presided over by PAC chairman Asghar Ali Tareen. It was attended by PAC members Zabad Ali Reki, Ghulam Dostgir Badini, Noor Mohammad Damrani and senior government officials.

The meeting was informed that the deputy commissioner of Quetta holds 33 bank accounts and nine of them are dormant with Rs110 million deposited in these accounts.

Across different districts, the meeting was further informed, hundreds of dormant accounts hold Rs464 million in unused funds. These funds have not been used for years, benefiting only private banks. The PAC ordered immediate closure of all dormant bank accounts and transfer of funds to the national treasury.

The committee also expressed serious concern over the delay in using funds meant to be used for public welfare, such as compensation for land acquisition. PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen stressed the need for compensating landowners. The deputy commissioner of Quetta reported that out of the Rs1.2 billion allocated for land acquisition, only Rs170 million remained unspent.

Discrepancies in account numbers were also discussed in the PAC meeting. The deputy commissioner of Panjgur reported having one account, but the State Bank of Pakistan revealed that there were 11 bank accounts connected to the DC’s office, with unused funds still unallocated. Similarly, the deputy commissioner of Gwadar said his office has 10 bank accounts, but the State Bank of Pakistan report showed that the DC’s office holds 43 accounts, with Rs142.3 million remaining unused since 2015.

The meeting was further informed that the bank accounts held by the DC of Gwadar alone holds Rs1.428 billion in unused funds.

The meeting instructed the immediate closure of all inactive bank accounts, with funds transferred to the national treasury.

The deputy commissioners were directed to resolve discrepancies in bank account numbers in consultation with the Board of Revenue and the finance department. The deputy commissioner of Gwadar was told at the meeting that he, along with the director general of audit, must submit a detailed report on the land acquisition case in Gwadar to the PAC.

The committee also emphasised that the unused funds should be re-allocated to other projects or deposited into the national treasury after consultation.

Zabad Ali Reki praised the PAC’s actions, stating that Rs464 million had already been transferred to the national treasury from dormant bank accounts.

Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen reaffirmed the PAC’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing public funds. He said the PAC will continue to monitor these issues closely.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2024