A major financial irregularity has been uncovered in Peshawar, where a project launched in collaboration with the World Bank to improve basic facilities and education standards has come under serious scrutiny.
According to official sources, the Planning and Development Department has completed its investigation and compiled a detailed report revealing embezzlement of Rs106 million in a project under the Elementary and Secondary Education Department.
The report highlights significant misuse of funds allocated for enhancing educational infrastructure and services, raising concerns over transparency and oversight in the project’s execution.
Authorities have recommended disciplinary action against three officers involved in the project, including the Project Director. Further proceedings are expected as officials review the findings and decide on appropriate legal and administrative measures.
Senate panel orders investigation into Rs250m cigarette theft in KP
Earlier, a Senate sub committee ordered an investigation into the theft of cigarette cartons worth around Rs250 million from Federal Board of Revenue warehouses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The directive came during a meeting of the sub committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control. The meeting was chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro and focused on the reported disappearance of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes from FBR godowns in Swabi and Mardan.
According to Business Recorder, the committee asked the Federal Board of Revenue, the Federal Investigation Agency and regional police to work closely and complete the investigation as soon as possible. Officials were also asked to use geo fencing technology in the area to help identify people who may have been involved in the incident.
During the meeting, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood voiced concern that the blame for the theft appeared to be falling mainly on lower level staff. He said that if senior officers were involved, they should also be held responsible.
The senator asked officials to present video footage of the warehouses at the next meeting. He also called for an examination of the assets of staff posted at the facility. According to him, investigators should also try to identify who ultimately benefited from the missing goods, including any industrialists who may have gained from the incident.
FIA officials told the committee that the case was referred to the agency by regional police through the Ministry of Interior. They said the alleged embezzlement involved goods valued at about Rs250 million.
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