AGP Reveals Rs4,800B Power Sector Irregularities

Islamabad, August 21, 2025, 07:56 PM PKT — The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has unmasked a staggering financial scandal, exposing Rs4,800 billion in mismanagement within the power sector for fiscal year 2023-24, as detailed in a latest audit report cited by The News, set to shock the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with grave governance failures. The report unveils a systemic collapse, not mere isolated lapses, with widespread violations: Rs2,212.95 million lost to theft, embezzlement, and misappropriation in six cases, Rs156,141.88 million in 86 procurement and contract irregularities, and Rs507,242.82 million in 77 breaches of internal rules and SOPs.

Further, Rs957,751.65 million in 90 cases violated laws from the Ministry of Energy, Finance Division, and Nepra, while Rs624,470.85 million stems from asset tagging and revaluation issues in Discos and Genco-I. The audit flags Rs1,369,053.65 million in outstanding receivables from consumers and CPPA-G to Discos and K-Electric, Rs4,470.34 million in 32 HR and benefit irregularities, Rs21,634.08 million in seven recovery cases, and Rs22,249.60 million in ten value-for-money issues, plus Rs1,056,808.80 million in 58 other lapses like receivable reconciliation and capacity payment disputes. Web context on power sector audits shows chronic issues, while posts found on X reflect outrage—some demand accountability, others question oversight. Critically, the narrative of “sector reform” may mask deep-rooted corruption—web data hints at past cover-ups, and X sentiment suggests distrust in effective action, pointing to urgent overhaul needs.