ISLAMABAD: A Parliamentary Committee on Thursday issued formal reference letters to the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a special audit of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) covering financial irregularities, illegal promotions and other illegalities.

Decision for reference was taken in a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety held in the Parliament Lodges.

Senator Rubina Qaimkhani presided over the meeting.

The Parliamentarians reviewed PBM’s compliance with binding directives issued on October 10, 2025, April 16, 2026, April 30, 2026, and May 13, 2026.

Despite the lapse of over seven months and after five meetings, the PBM management has failed to submit any compliance report, they observed.

No action has been taken on the reversal of illegal promotions, recovery of unlawful financial benefits, or implementation of Supreme Court judgments. Furthermore, the internal inquiry into procurement irregularities initiated in June 2025 remains unfinalised.

The Director Audit informed the Committee that his wing had already indicated all these irregularities, as it is their duty to apprise the management.

In response, the Convener observed that this demonstrates the internal audit team failed to address the matters owing to mafia tactics.

This persistent defiance amounts to willful obstruction of parliamentary oversight.

The department and the committee agreed on a special audit. ‘Accordingly, in exercise of powers under Rule 183 of the Senate Rules of Procedure, 2012, and having granted the department a final opportunity, formal reference letters are issued to the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) and the Director General, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a special audit of PBM.

The committee asked that AGP and FIA to probe into 315 promotions beyond the lawful quota, causing a loss of Rs190 million; illegal promotions of 191 officers; illegal advance payment of Rs60 million and total procurement violations of Rs145 million; unauthorised back benefits of Rs190 million; illegal upgradations based on misinterpretation of Finance Division Office Memoranda; appointment based on a counterfeit MBA degree (verified by HEC); tampering with official records and concealment of approximately 70 stopgap engagements by HR officers; and misuse of authority and financial impropriety.

The FIA has been requested to directly take over the matter in case of non-cooperation by PBM management during the audit, and to register an FIR against responsible officers if complete records are not provided within thirty days.

The meeting was also attended by Senator Dost Ali Jeesar and Senator Jan Muhammad, along with the Secretary PBM, Managing Director, Director Finance, Director Audit, Director R&D, Deputy Director Establishment, and other officers.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2026