• Balochistan Assembly’s committee initiates recoveries totaling over Rs20bn; says audit review of 252 paras found Rs49bn in irregularities
• 20 cases referred to NAB, six sent to Anti-Corruption for further probe

QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee of the Balochistan Assembly has identified and initiated recoveries worth Rs20 billion, recouping more than Rs6bn after reviewing audit paras from the financial year 2021–22 and audit year 2022–23, officials announced.

PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen and Opposition Leader Younas Aziz Zehri held a press conference to detail findings from 252 audit paras. Mr Tareen stated that the audit reports initially uncovered financial irregularities amounting to Rs 49bn.

Mr Tareen reported that through ongoing meetings, the committee effectively pinpointed Rs 20bn in recoveries, of which over Rs 6bn has already been deposited into the government treasury.

He described the amount as a landmark achievement for the province.

“This is the highest recovery in recent years in Balochistan,” he said, noting that recoveries in previous years were significantly lower, with Rs500 million in 2016-17, Rs1bn in 2017-18, and Rs1.24bn in 2018-19.

Following the committee’s recommendations, 20 cases have been referred to the National Accountability Bureau and six to the Anti-Corruption Department for further investigation, Mr Tareen added.

He credited Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial Chief Secretary for their support.

The chairman also announced that the PAC has been granted suo motu powers, a move he believes will strengthen its oversight role. He highlighted directives issued by the committee, including an order for deputy commissioners to limit their official bank accounts to three, as required by law.

Mr Tareen urged timely fund use for development, stressing allocation should be spent by May 15 to avoid cost hikes, citing a dam’s increase from Rs 6bn to Rs 20bn and an unfinished 2019 project escalating from Rs 8bn to Rs 18bn.

He also noted that Balochistan’s PAC is the first in Pakistan to become fully digital and paperless, a model that has drawn praise from members of the Punjab Assembly PAC.

Opposition Leader Younas Aziz Zehri commended the committee’s work.

“The report has raised their pride and the chairman and members deserve congratulations for achieving record recoveries,” Mr Zehri said, adding that the PAC had lived up to their trust.

He added that consultation on the Mines and Minerals Bill will be held on April 18 with legal experts from all parties, and recommendations will be presented to the government.

Also in attendance were assembly members Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Zabid Ali Reki, Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Khair Jan Baloch, and Maulana Hidayatur Rehman.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026