By: Shahid Jan
PESHAWAR: Chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Speaker of the KP Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, has taken serious notice of a massive financial scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of over Rs36 billion from government bank accounts in Upper Kohistan district.
Following the shocking revelations, an emergency meeting of the PAC was convened at the KP Assembly, chaired by Speaker Swati. The meeting was attended by the Accountant General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Advisor to the Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and Members of the Provincial Assembly, including Sajjadullah Khan, Mian Sharafat, Shafiullah Jan, and Asif Khan Mehsud, along with senior officials of the Assembly Secretariat.
According to media reports reviewed during the session, the scandal involves suspicious financial transactions exceeding Rs36 billion, allegedly carried out through a fake construction company with the apparent connivance of officials from the District Accounts Office, Department of Communications and Works, and the National Bank. Thousands of fake cheques were reportedly issued from government accounts as part of the scheme.
In response to the seriousness of the matter, Speaker Swati has called for a special session of the PAC on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The following officials have been formally summoned to attend: Secretary Finance, Director General NAB Peshawar, Accountant General KP, Auditor General KP, Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary Communications and Works, and DG Audit KP.
The KP Assembly Secretariat, on the instructions of the Speaker, has issued official notices to the relevant departments.
Read also: KP speaker Babar Swati faces PTI scrutiny over recruitment allegations
Addressing the emergency meeting, Babar Saleem Swati stated, “Those who loot the hard-earned money of the people will not be forgiven under any circumstances. The KP Assembly maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, and all those responsible will be brought to justice as per the law.”
He further emphasised that a comprehensive investigation will be launched, particularly focusing on the failure of senior Finance Department officials to prevent the fraud. “Public trust cannot be restored without financial transparency and effective accountability,” he added.
