An investigation report by the Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has uncovered the illegal purchase of 310 vehicles worth Rs2.12 billion during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. These vehicles were ostensibly procured for solid waste management operations in Punjab.
Key Findings
- Violation of Rules:
- The vehicles were purchased without the approval of the Board of Directors, bypassing the governance structure.
- The purchases ignored Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, and advance payments were made without following proper procedures.
- Expenditure Details:
- The vehicles were procured for a total cost of Rs2.12 billion, raising concerns about financial mismanagement and accountability.
- Committee Recommendations:
- The Public Accounts Committee has recommended summoning the relevant officers for further investigation to determine responsibility for the irregularities.
Implications
The findings highlight potential corruption and mismanagement in the procurement process during the PTI’s tenure. If proven, these irregularities could further strain the party’s accountability claims and bolster calls for systemic reforms in public procurement and governance.
Further investigations are expected to determine whether the irregularities were due to negligence or deliberate malpractice.
