According to the audit report published by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) on 2024-25, there is a complete breakdown in governance within the power sector since there are financial and functional anomalies amounting to Rs. 4,800 billion. The report covering the 2023-24 financial year throws light on extensive mismanagement, regulatory failure, and systemic violations that have exposed the public funds to great risks.
The audit covered the Power Division, its subsidiary organisations and NEPRA. The main findings were 6 cases of theft and embezzlement amounting to Rs. 2.21 billion and 86 cases of procurement irregularities amounting to Rs. 156.14 billion. The internal SOP violations were recorded in 77 cases totalling Rs. 507.24 billion and 90 non-compliances with the legal and regulatory requirements involved Rs. 957.75 billion.
Mismanagement of assets in Discos and Genco-I contributed Rs. 624.47 billion and 19 receivables cases such as unpaid consumer bills totaled to Rs. 1.37 trillion. The other irregularities which aroused an amount of the investment blocked and which were delayed included Rs. 1.05 trillion.
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The audit also cited 32 anomalies in human resource and employee benefit of Rs. 4.47 billion as well as seven recoveries of worth Rs. 21.63 billion and 10 instances of value-for-money inefficiencies worth Rs. 22.25 billion.
The AGP brings these startling anomalies to the attention of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) showing a culture of neglect and poor governance. Some urgent corrective measures are needed to pull the plug on further financial bleeding, and enable accountability within the power sector.
