A damning audit report from the Punjab Assembly has unearthed widespread financial irregularities within the Lahore Solid Waste Management Company, dating back to the financial year 2020-21.
The report reveals that the Buzdar government made staggering payments of Rs. 8.65 billion to unauthorized contractors, flagrantly violating legal requirements . These payments were made on the verbal orders of the Buzdar government, resulting in financial irregularities of Rs. 561.8 million related to domestic and foreign contractors.
The audit report exposes a trail of illicit transactions, including advance payments for waste collection and illegal allocations for road cleaning. Payments were made without verifying contract completion, further highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability within the company. Despite repeated written notifications, the Lahore Waste Management Company failed to address these financial irregularities, sparking concerns about the company’s governance and accountability.
The report’s findings also underscore the need for reforms in government finances to ensure better utilization of public resources. The reluctance of Lahore Waste Management Company officials to appear before the audit committee only serves to reinforce the notion that the company has something to hide. As the Punjab government grapples with the fallout of this report, it remains to be seen whether meaningful reforms will be implemented to prevent such financial irregularities in the future.