Irregular Spending by Interior Ministry’s Law Enforcement Agencies Unveiled

ISLAMABAD: An audit report has revealed that civil law enforcement agencies under the Interior Ministry expended billions of rupees during fiscal year 2023-24, seemingly disregarding fundamental procurement regulations. These expenditures ranged from acquisitions of running shoes and thermal pants to advance payments for boats that were never delivered, and inflated ice purchases.

The audit documentation exposes a pattern of questionable expenditures, preferential treatment towards certain companies, and conspicuous breaches of financial protocols.

Covering departments such as the Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps, and Pakistan Coast Guards, the audit highlights significant misuse of public funds. This includes opaque tendering processes, advance payments made without subsequent delivery, repeated extensions of contracts, and questionable procurement choices. For instance, the Punjab Rangers awarded contracts worth Rs43 million for woolen socks and half-sleeve vests to firms that did not meet the required specifications. Despite this, the technical committee deemed these firms “responsive,” a decision the auditors labeled as “undue favor,” calling for an investigation to determine responsibility, including any involvement of Interior Ministry officials.

Similarly, a contract worth Rs45 million for running shoes was awarded to a company, again in violation of established procurement guidelines. Auditors have suggested a fact-finding mission to ascertain how this technically non-compliant firm secured the deal.

In a more alarming instance, the Pakistan Coast Guards made an advance payment of Rs560 million to a private company for boats that were not delivered within the stipulated four-month timeframe, which concluded on July 23, 2024. This advance payment was not only unauthorized but also contradicted the tender conditions. As of January 2025, the boats remained undelivered, leading to a directive to impose penalties for the delay.

Basic food supplies were also subject to irregularities. The Inspector General Frontier Corps KP (North) reportedly spent Rs7.8 billion on meat, milk, chicken, and cooking oil during 2023-24 without establishing new contract agreements.

Instead, prior year’s contracts were extended with increased rates, a practice the audit indicates violated procurement protocols and lacked transparency.

Additionally, contracts for the supply of vegetables, fruits, firewood, transport, and animal feed were illegally extended, amounting to Rs2.3 billion.

The Frontier Corps South DI Khan office made advance payments of Rs297 million for items like running shoes, vests, socks, and thermal pants, many of which were not delivered on schedule. Auditors suspect this payment was expedited to avoid budget expiration, with no supplies on hand at the time of payment.

Moreover, the IGFC (South) procured 20,847 pairs of running shoes worth Rs61 million through advance payments without adhering to technical standards—a recurring violation from the previous year, which involved Rs46 million. The audit report emphasized that “the recurrence of the same irregularity is a matter of serious concern.” In an almost absurd discovery, Rs43 million was spent on purchasing ice beyond necessary quantities by IGFC South, without any justification. Similarly, Rangers Sindh awarded contracts worth Rs73 million for uniform supplies without conducting laboratory tests on the materials, raising questions about the quality and transparency of these purchases.

The audit report also highlighted the irregular engagement of a private bank by the Commandant, Chiltan Rifles, FC North, for disbursing salaries and allowances totaling Rs 1.8 billion, without obtaining necessary approvals or following a competitive selection process.

While the expenses on items like socks, ice, and vests may appear insignificant individually, these irregularities collectively represent billions of rupees in misused public funds. This points to a disturbing trend of impunity and bypassing of procedures in law enforcement procurements.

The audit recommends multiple investigations and accountability measures. The crucial question remains whether those responsible will be held accountable, or if another year will pass with these financial irregularities fading into obscurity.

The Interior Ministry was contacted for their perspective on these expenditures by the agencies under its supervision. The ministry’s media official was tasked with providing the ministry’s response to the audit observations but delayed doing so for three days. It was communicated to the official that the story would proceed with or without their input.

The ministry is still welcome to provide their comments on the government’s audit report.