PAC uncovers massive Rs58b food records gap

KARACHI: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns over alleged financial irregularities in the Sindh Food Department after officials failed to present audit records involving Rs58 billion, and ordered disciplinary action against six district food controllers.

The committee, chaired by Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, examined audit paras concerning the Food Department for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 during a meeting in Karachi. Senior department officials, including district food controllers, the director general of the Sindh Food Authority and other relevant officers, briefed the panel.

During the review, the PAC was told that records from several districts had not been produced for audit examination, prompting questions over financial transparency and oversight. Audit observations placed before the committee said district food controllers from Larkana, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Malir, Tharparkar and other areas did not submit records amounting to billions of rupees.

Audit scrutiny and missing documentation

Officials told the committee that, in some instances, records had been taken by anti-corruption authorities or were otherwise unavailable. The PAC questioned that explanation and treated the absence of documentation as a serious lapse.

According to the proceedings, the PAC chairman said the non-production of audit records involving such a large amount pointed to possible irregularities and negligence. He directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the officers held responsible.

The committee viewed the failure to maintain or provide financial records as a breach of public accountability and an issue that could indicate misuse of public money, according to the audit discussion presented at the meeting.

Wheat procurement also reviewed

Alongside the audit issue, the PAC also examined the Food Department’s performance in wheat procurement. During the meeting, the committee noted that the province had fallen well short of its wheat procurement targets.

The review has added to official scrutiny of the department’s handling of wheat procurement and subsidy-related matters in Sindh, as the PAC continues its examination of financial and administrative controls within the department.