Punjab PAC Summons Health Officials Over Rs728 Million Medicine Procurement Irregularities

The Public Accounts Committee-III (PAC-III) of the Punjab Assembly has taken decisive action by summoning senior health officials in response to serious irregularities uncovered in the procurement of medicines. This move follows the detection of large-scale violations of procurement rules, particularly in the South Punjab region, highlighting significant lapses in governance and transparency.

Audit Review Reveals Widespread Violations

During a recent meeting chaired by Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, the committee meticulously reviewed audit observations for the financial year 2018–19, focusing on 17 District Health Authorities across South Punjab. The investigation brought to light cases of irregular expenditure totaling Rs727.748 million. These irregularities were primarily attributed to the splitting of procurements and blatant violations of the Punjab Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, raising alarms about systemic flaws in the procurement process.

Committee Actions and Recommendations

Expressing grave concern over the lack of transparency in medicine procurement, the PAC-III summoned officers who were posted in Bahawalnagar during the relevant period to explain their alleged involvement in these irregularities. The committee examined a total of 599 audit paras, issuing directions on 123 of them, which involved an amount of Rs838.609 million. Key outcomes included:

Recommendation for the settlement of 105 audit paras after verification of complete recoveries.
On-the-spot settlement of three audit paras.
Deferral of four audit paras pending the outcome of court proceedings.
Referral of seven audit paras to the administrative department for a detailed inquiry, with instructions to submit a report within 45 days.

Health Department Directed to Improve Procedures

In addition to addressing the procurement issues, the committee directed the Health Department to devise uniform Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consultants’ working hours. This initiative aims to ensure consistency, accountability, and improved delivery of healthcare services across the province, reflecting a broader effort to enhance operational efficiency and patient care.

The committee's actions underscore a commitment to upholding financial integrity and transparency in public health expenditures, with ongoing scrutiny expected to drive reforms in procurement practices.