Islamabad, Feb 7: The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources has strongly criticized the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for purchasing 78 luxury vehicles worth Rs. 740 million, despite the federal austerity policy that explicitly prohibits such expenditures. The committee, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan, expressed deep concern over this decision, pointing out the misuse of funds amidst the country’s ongoing fiscal challenges.
During the meeting, the committee also raised alarms about the delay in investigations into various financial irregularities within WAPDA, some of which have been pending for decades. Senator Awan noted that 187 audit paras related to WAPDA remain unresolved, with some cases lacking even basic official records. This lack of accountability led to further questioning of WAPDA’s financial practices.
In particular, the committee highlighted a troubling Rs. 29 billion discrepancy in WAPDA’s accounts that had not yet been examined by the Ministry of Water Resources. This issue was particularly alarming given its scale and the fact that it had not been addressed by the relevant authorities.
The committee was informed that of the 56 inquiries recommended by the Public Accounts Committee, 43 had been completed, 10 were still ongoing, and 3 were being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). In addition, the Departmental Accounts Committee had initiated 381 inquiries, of which 308 were completed, while 67 remained pending.
Given the mounting concerns, the committee directed the Ministry of Water Resources to expedite all pending inquiries and ensure that they are concluded within six months. It also called for a detailed report on the cases currently under court proceedings, including the identification of individuals who may be responsible for any financial misconduct.
This development highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining financial transparency and accountability within government organizations, particularly in a time of economic strain.
