Punjab Auqaf audit flags Rs55m irregularities, recovery proposed from former secretary and aides

LAHORE: The Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department has flagged alleged financial irregularities involving Rs55 million in public funds, recommending recovery of over Rs34 million from a former secretary and four officials over suspected procurement violations and misuse of funds.

According to a special audit report, funds were allocated for religious events, including the 982nd Urs of Ali Hujwiri, an international Tassawaf conference, and Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations for 2024-25. The audit identified irregular spending and procedural breaches in the utilisation of these funds.

The report calls for multiple recoveries, including amounts from the former secretary, administrators and other officials, citing flawed procurement practices and unauthorised financial decisions. It also highlights the use of exemptions under “urgency” to bypass standard tendering procedures for events that are held annually.

Action has been initiated under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability Act 2006 against several officials, including former administrators and managers linked to the department’s Lahore operations. An inquiry has been launched, with a senior finance official appointed to examine the case.

The former administrative secretary, Tahir Raza Bukhari, has been named in the audit for allegedly violating procurement rules, bypassing cabinet authority and approving expenditures through emergency provisions. The report further questions administrative decisions, including assigning senior roles to junior officers and restructuring key financial oversight positions.

Auditors also raised concerns over the handling of funds through multiple bank accounts and the use of cash-based transactions, which they said weakened financial transparency and control mechanisms.

The current department leadership has reportedly sought approval from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to proceed with formal action against the former secretary on charges of misconduct and regulatory violations.

Responding to the allegations, Dr Bukhari defended his decisions, stating that emergency provisions were invoked due to time constraints in organising events after delayed release of funds. He also maintained that assigning additional responsibilities to junior officers was consistent with past administrative practices.

The case has raised broader concerns over financial governance and oversight within the department, particularly in the management of funds allocated for recurring religious events.