FAISALABAD, April 27: Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed alleged that district governments had embezzled billions of rupees during the last eight years and a hefty amount would be recovered through a special audit.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here on Sunday, the minister said that services of foreign agencies were being hired for special audit of local governments and nobody would be spared in this regard.

He alleged that the former Punjab government had misused national exchequer and spent Rs3 billion in an advertisement campaign in connivance with the caretaker government. The minister said by June 30 next year, all areas in the Faisalabad district would be provided with electricity, gas, sewerage, potable water and other basic necessities of life. —Staff Correspondent