ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Tuesday questioned legality of over Rs4.95 billion disbursed to urban affectees by Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA)
The committee, citing procedural violations and weak documentation, deferred the audit matter pending approval from authority’s governing council.
The sub-committee raised serious concerns over irregular payments exceeding Rs4.95 billion made by ERRA to urban affectees. The meeting, chaired by its convener Shahida Akhtar Ali, examined long-pending audit objections related to ERRA for fiscal years 2010–11 and 2013–14.
During the audit briefing, officials informed the committee 28,319 households were paid Rs175,000 each between 2006 and December 2009, allegedly without mandatory technical inspections. The audit highlighted violations of prescribed procedures in disbursement of funds, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Committee members were also informed proper documentation remained a key issue in most of cases identified. Shahida Akhtar Ali expressed dissatisfaction over lack of visible progress, noting none of audit observations reflected satisfactory compliance. “The core issue in these cases is absence of proper record”, she remarked.
Audit authorities told the panel the matter would require formal approval from ERRA Council after submission of a detailed case. They added audit objection would remain pending until such approval is obtained.
The committee subsequently deferred the issue, directing it be taken up again after obtaining required approval from ERRA Council.
The meeting also revealed financial mismanagement in post-earthquake school reconstruction. The audit noted Rs66.33 million was allocated for rebuilding schools in Bagh district, of which Rs10.209 million was lost due to administrative inefficiencies, negligence, and rule violations.
In another contract worth Rs35 million, an additional Rs4 million was reportedly wasted, further highlighting weak oversight and governance in reconstruction projects.
