ISLAMABAD: An audit report has identified alleged financial and administrative irregularities worth Rs222.0668 billion in the Ministry of Communications during the period associated with former federal minister Maulana Asad Mahmood.
According to the report, the irregularities involved recruitment, financial management and cases of alleged fraud and nepotism in departments operating under the ministry.
The audit findings revealed that the Finance Division issued instructions on September 30, 2022, following which the Establishment Division permitted recruitment against 3,938 vacant posts in the Pakistan Post Office Department.
However, 4,252 appointments were made in grades 1 to 15 during the caretaker government’s tenure, exceeding the approved number of positions by 314.
The report raised objections to the additional appointments, alleging that they were made on political grounds and in violation of recruitment rules and regulations.
The audit also identified irregularities amounting to Rs48.8 million in 40 cases involving alleged fraud, misappropriation and other administrative violations.
The findings have raised questions about financial oversight, recruitment procedures and compliance with government regulations during the period under review.
The reported irregularities relate to the ministry and its departments. The audit observations do not, by themselves, establish personal criminal liability against Maulana Asad Mahmood.
