QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Asghar Ali Tareen, expressed strong concern over massive irregularities and mismanagement in the Quetta Safe City Project.
The committee termed the award of contracts worth Rs2.28 billion to the Special Communication Organization (SCO) a clear violation of procurement rules. The committee declared that despite spending over Rs9 billion, the project failed to achieve its core objective of ensuring public safety — with 600 out of 800 cameras currently non-functional.
During the meeting held under Chairman Tareen, the PAC reviewed audit paras related to the Quetta Safe City Project, Prisons Department, and the Information Department. The session was attended by PAC members Wali Muhammad Noorzai, Ghulam Dastagir Badini, Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri, Safia Bibi, and senior officials from relevant departments, including the Secretary of Information, Secretary of Science and Technology, DGPR Balochistan, and DG Audit.
The committee was informed that although the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) had obtained higher technical and financial scores (85.8) than SCO (76.8), the project was still awarded to SCO in violation of the Balochistan Public Procurement Rules (BPPR) 2014. Members described the process as “a textbook example of bureaucratic manipulation”.
“When Quetta’s young child Musawir was abducted, most Safe City cameras were inactive. Spending billions without providing citizens security reflects failed planning and financial mismanagement,” said Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen.
PAC member Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri termed the repeated cost increases a “blatant violation of rules,” while Wali Muhammad Noorzai noted that the department had “negotiated rates directly with firms on their own terms.” Ghulam Dastagir Badini added, “The project’s expansion without accountability shows the institution’s incompetence,” and Safia Bibi lamented that “a poor province’s massive resources have been wasted without oversight.”
The committee decided that PAC members would personally inspect the project site. It also directed the Chief Secretary of Balochistan to complete an inquiry within one month, warning that failure to submit a satisfactory report would result in the case being referred to NAB for further investigation.
PAC also ordered recovery of Rs230.335 million in illegal advance payments within 15 days.
The committee also reviewed an audit para concerning Rs11.327 million in losses due to non-deduction of taxes. Members criticised the department for bypassing the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) process and sending the matter directly to PAC, terming it a violation of procedure.
The Inspector General of Prisons informed the committee that the department receives insufficient funds for maintenance and repair.
Chairman Tareen directed immediate improvements in jail facilities — including access to clean water, healthcare, and hygiene — and recommended that prison staff salaries and allowances be made equivalent to other departments.
PAC members further proposed establishing a Prison Training Center and granting prison staff force status.
Reviewing audit paras of the Information Department, the PAC observed that the department spent Rs424.754 million on advertisements between 2018 and 2021 but failed to deduct Rs56.518 million in BSTS tax. Chairman Tareen termed such spending “unjustifiable in a financially fragile province” and directed the department to ensure immediate recovery of unpaid taxes and submit a report to PAC.
The committee also took serious notice of Rs23.29 million kept in unauthorised bank accounts and ordered a special session within 15 days to resolve the issue.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen reaffirmed PAC’s commitment to promoting transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability in Balochistan.
“Violations of rules will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against all those involved in financial irregularities,” he said, directing all departments to ensure full compliance with PAC’s recommendations within the stipulated time.