Reports have surfaced a mega financial discrepancies during the tenure of the interim government in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A major scandal involving the embezzlement of one billion rupees allocated to purchase examination gloves has come to light.
In 2024, the Health Department of Peshawar approved the procurement of examination gloves, culminating in a transaction of 98 crore 39 lakh rupees in March, with each glove priced at 22.60 rupees. This figure starkly contrasts with the market rate of 7 to 9 rupees per glove, indicating an inflated purchase price of 13 to 15 rupees per pair. The payments were processed via two checks: the first was issued on February 7, 2024, and the second on March 20, 2024. It has come to light that several department officials were not informed about this acquisition.
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Distribution records show allocations of 60 lakh gloves to Category D Hospital in Mattani, Peshawar, 30 lakh to DHQ Bajaur, and 1 crore 92 lakh 30 thousand to North Waziristan. However, officials in these districts have refuted claims of having received gloves. An internal audit by the Health Department discovered that only 43 lakh gloves are accounted for in their inventory, leaving a discrepancy of 3 crore 92 lakh gloves that are documented but lack physical verification.
In response to these findings, Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah has assured that strict action will be taken against those implicated, reflecting the PTI founder’s staunch stance against corruption. He affirmed that further investigation details would be disclosed to the public as the inquiry into the interim government’s corruption progresses.
