NAB to probe Rs1.25bn graft in KP drug procurement

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed its inquiry into the medicine procurement scandal and decided to convert the case into an investigation.

During the inquiry, embezzlement amounting to Rs1.25 billion was uncovered in the procurement of medicines.

According to details, NAB had initiated an inquiry into irregularities in medicine procurement within the KP Health Department. Preliminary findings from the inquiry revealed evidence of corruption in medicine purchases during the fiscal year 2023-24.

Sources indicate that during the last financial year, supply orders worth Rs4.4 billion were issued for medicine procurement. In 2024, payments exceeding Rs4 billion were made to 50 companies, with just 15 of these companies receiving more than Rs3 billion. The inquiry further revealed that a significant portion of these payments was made before the medicines were even received.

Additionally, delivery challans issued by the Director General of Health were found to be fake. As a result, the national treasury suffered a loss of Rs1.25 billion without the actual supply of medicines.

In light of these findings, KP NAB had decided to convert the inquiry into a formal investigation. Former DG of Health Dr Shaukat Ali told this correspondent that all payments to the companies were made under a contract, and notices were issued to companies that failed to supply the medicines. He stated that the companies were contractually bound to provide the medicines. He further mentioned that he was removed from his position in March 2025, and the court had also upheld his stance. He also questioned why supply orders were issued to the same companies for 2025-26 and why they were not blacklisted.