ISLAMABAD: Maqbool Ahmed Gondal has officially assumed the role of Pakistan’s 22nd auditor general, stepping into office during a period of intense scrutiny. He took charge on Monday in a ceremony at the Supreme Court, facing a credibility crisis that has shaken the country’s top audit body.
The challenge before the new auditor general is significant. His office recently faced public embarrassment after issuing a report that claimed financial irregularities worth Rs376 trillion in the federal government’s accounts. The figure, which exceeded three times Pakistan’s total gross domestic product (GDP), drew widespread disbelief and criticism.
From trillions to billions
The report, titled Consolidated Audit Report of Federal Government for the Audit Year 2024-25, alleged procurement-related issues of Rs284 trillion and defective civil works worth Rs85.6 trillion. It also cited receivables of Rs2.5 trillion and circular debt of Rs1.2 trillion.
However, after weeks of defending the report, the auditor general’s office admitted the figures contained serious errors. A revised version reduced the irregularities to Rs9.769 trillion. While still massive, this updated figure equals almost two-thirds of the federal budget for the current fiscal year.
Officials explained that the errors stemmed from typographical mistakes and overlapping items, including circular debt, land disputes, and corporate accounts spread over several years.
Experts weigh in
Economist Dr. Vaqar Ahmad from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute said the earlier Rs376 trillion figure was likely an inflated aggregation of audit observations rather than actual verified losses. He explained that procedural lapses often get counted as irregularities, making the numbers appear far larger.
A former provincial AGP and other senior officials also pointed out that audits in Pakistan often inflate figures by listing multiple objections against the same project.
Calls for reform
Experts and government officials have stressed the need for reforms in the audit process. They argue that the focus should shift from transaction-based reviews to assessing whether public money delivers value, as practiced in advanced economies.
For Gondal, the priority now is to restore public trust in the institution he leads. His ability to ensure credible and transparent audits will define the future reputation of Pakistan’s audit office.
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