Serious financial irregularities have been revealed in the Telecom sector, according to the Auditor General’s report for the fiscal year 2023-24.
The audit highlighted over Rs165 billion in discrepancies. In 36 cases, more than Rs157 billion was not recovered. This raises major concerns over transparency and accountability within the sector.
The report also noted irregularities worth Rs134 million in six human resource cases. Additionally, violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) rules in 14 cases caused a financial loss of Rs3.74 billion to the national exchequer.
Service delivery issues were another major problem for the Telecom sector. The audit estimated losses of more than Rs5 billion due to inefficiencies and poor management.
In total, 58 audit paras were identified during the review. These findings reflect widespread mismanagement and raise questions about financial discipline.
The report further pointed out Rs103.7 billion in recoverable amounts. However, only Rs4.5 billion was recovered between January and December 2024, showing a weak recovery mechanism.
Experts believe that stronger oversight and strict enforcement of rules are necessary to improve efficiency. They also stress that regulatory authorities must take firm action to safeguard public money.
The Telecom sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in Pakistan, contributing significantly to the economy. However, the audit findings highlight the urgent need for reforms. Without corrective steps, financial mismanagement could harm both the sector and the national economy.
The government has been urged to ensure accountability and implement transparent policies to restore trust in the industry.
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