A recent audit report has revealed serious financial irregularities in the telecom sector. According to the Auditor General’s findings for the fiscal year 2023-24, these irregularities amount to more than Rs165 billion.
The report highlights that Rs157 billion was not recovered in 36 separate cases. This shows a major gap in financial management within the telecom industry. Additionally, six cases involving human resources showed irregularities totaling Rs134 million.
Violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) rules were also found. In 14 cases, these violations led to a loss of Rs3.74 billion to the national exchequer. The report points to weak oversight and lack of compliance with procurement rules.
Service delivery issues added to the losses. The audit estimates these problems caused losses exceeding Rs5 billion. Overall, the Auditor General identified 58 audit paras, indicating multiple areas of concern in the telecom sector.
The report further reveals that Rs103.7 billion is still recoverable. However, only Rs4.5 billion was recovered during the year 2024. This low recovery rate suggests inefficiencies in the efforts to reclaim lost funds.
Experts say these findings raise serious questions about the management and accountability in the telecom sector. They urge the authorities to take swift action to address these financial gaps.
The audit report calls for stronger controls and better enforcement of rules. This will help reduce losses and improve transparency in the telecom industry.
The telecom sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Addressing these irregularities is essential to protect public resources and ensure better service delivery in the future.
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