Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies under the Interior Ministry spent billions of rupees in fiscal year 2023-24 through irregular procurements, favouritism, and blatant rule violations, an official audit report revealed on July 18, 2025.
The findings highlight issues like unauthorised advance payments, non-transparent tenders, and excessive purchases without justification. Examples range from undelivered boats costing Rs 560 million to overbought ice and joggers. Auditors recommend inquiries and accountability to curb the misuse of public funds. The Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment despite multiple attempts over three days.
The News and Geo News reported that the audit revealed a pattern of financial mismanagement across various agencies, including the Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps, and Pakistan Coast Guard. Here are prominent examples:
- Unauthorised Advance Payments for Boats: Pakistan Coast Guard paid Rs 560 million upfront to a private firm for boats, violating tender terms. The supplier missed the July 23, 2024, deadline, with no delivery by January 2025. Auditors demand liquidated damages.
- Non-Compliant Contracts for Uniforms and Gear: Punjab Rangers awarded Rs 43 million for woollen socks and vests to non-specification firms, declared “responsive” by the technical committee, termed “undue favour.” Another Rs45 million went to a non-compliant jogger supplier. Similar violations occurred in Rs61 million jogger procurements by IGFC (South).
- Excessive and Unjustified Purchases: IGFC (South) spent Rs 43 million on ice beyond its needs, without explanation. Rs297 million in advance payments funded joggers, vests, socks, and trousers, many of which were undelivered to avoid a budget lapse.
- Illegal Contract Extensions: IGFC KP (North) extended previous contracts for food items, including meat, milk, chicken, and oil, without entering into new agreements or conducting competitive bidding, resulting in expenditures of Rs7.8 billion. Similar extensions for vegetables, fruits, firewood, carriage, and animal ration totalled Rs 2.3 billion.
- Irregular Banking Services Hiring: Commandant Chiltan Rifles, FC North, hired a private bank for Rs 1.8 billion in pay disbursements without approvals or competition.
The audit estimates billions lost through these practices, straining public resources. Favouritism to specific firms undermines fair competition, while advance payments without delivery risk are fraudulent. Repeated violations, such as in jogger procurements (Rs 46 million the previous year), demonstrate a lack of accountability.
Read: Audit Exposes Financial Irregularities in Pakistan Cricket Board
Auditors call for fact-finding inquiries, responsibility fixation (including an Interior Ministry official), and imposition of penalties. They emphasise recovering dues and preventing recurrences.
The Interior Ministry did not provide a response despite repeated requests over a three-day period. A media official was assigned but delayed. The ministry remains welcome to comment on this report.
