ISLAMABAD: The Public Acco­unts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday took up audit objections concerning alleged irregular recruitment and bonus payments at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), raising serious concerns over transparency and governance at the port authority.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Moeen Pirzada, examined audit paras indicating that around 1,200 employees were recruited at KPT in previous governments, especially during the tenure of then federal minister for ports and shipping Babar Ghauri, without due process. According to audit officials, these appointments were made without merit, advertisements, or adherence to prescribed rules.

Committee members questioned the legality of the recruitment and sought clarity on the status of the employees.

“If irregularities are proven, what course of action will be taken?” the chairman of the committee asked, while Senator Bilal Mandokhail called for a breakdown of how many among the 1,200 employees were qualified or otherwise.

Some members observed that it would be difficult to terminate such a large number of employees at once. Audit officials informed the committee that when show-cause notices were issued, many employees sought relief from courts, complicating the process.

The committee also expressed concern over KPT’s failure to share complete data of its employees with auditors. Karachi Port Trust Chairman retired Rear Admiral, Shahid Ahmed said that individuals with fake or bogus degrees had already been removed.

However, PAC members stressed the need to verify whether the employees physically existed before assessing their qualifications.

It directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to investigate the matter thoroughly and submit a report, including coordination with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The illegal hiring of 1,200 employees had cost Karachi Port Trust Rs1.66 billion and another Rs3.318 billion without verifying record of employees.

Separately, the committee discussed an audit objection regarding payment of a bonus equivalent to five basic salaries to KPT employees.

Audit officials termed the payment unauthorised, while some lawmakers called for the recovery of the amount. They also mentioned that the decision to give such high bonuses was also in violation of PAC directions, which had ordered bonuses equivalent to just one basic salary.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026