Financial irregularities involving more than Rs28.6 million in payments to members of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have been uncovered in a report by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
According to the audit report, PTA members approved their own medical policy, benefits and allowances.
Audit authorities termed this a clear conflict of interest, saying the officials who benefited from the policies were also responsible for approving them.
Breakdown of questioned payments
The report identified more than Rs11.5 million in unauthorized benefits paid to PTA members. It also found that more than Rs7.1 million was paid in excess due to the incorrect fixation of salaries.
In addition, the audit questioned the payment of over Rs6.1 million as professionalism allowance, saying there was no proper justification for the payments.
The report further stated that approximately Rs3.9 million paid as Eid allowance was also unjustified.
PTA explains position
According to the report, the PTA maintained that the terms and conditions of employment for its chairman and members have not yet been finalized.
The authority said salaries, benefits and allowances were paid under the provisions of the PTA Act and certain previous government notifications.
Audit rejects PTA's explanation
Audit authorities rejected the PTA's explanation, maintaining that members approving their own benefits constituted a conflict of interest.
The report emphasized that the salaries and benefits of the PTA chairman and members should be determined in accordance with the rules and policies of the Finance Division.
The audit report noted that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had already ordered the recovery of illegally paid amounts in a similar case.
The audit authorities reiterated that the questioned payments should be examined in line with established financial rules and previous PAC directives.
