Latest news with #BabarSaleemSwati
Business Recorder
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Government account: KP PAC discusses Rs36bn financial irregularities
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Accounts Committee has discussed Rs36b financial irregularities from the government account. According to details, the meeting of the KP PAC committee was chaired by provincial assembly Speaker and Committee Chairman Babar Saleem Swati, which focused on suspected financial irregularities involving Rs. 36 billion in transactions from a government account in District Kohistan. Terming it the most serious financial scandal in the province's history, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati expressed strong displeasure with the concerned departments — the Finance Department, Communication and Works (C&W), and the Office of the Accountant General. He directed them to submit a detailed inquiry report within three days. He further warned that if the internal inquiry proved unsatisfactory, an independent third-party audit would be commissioned and criminal proceedings would be initiated. Accountant General of KP, Nasruddin, informed the committee that between 2016 and 2024, Rs. 181 billion were deposited into and Rs. 206 billion withdrawn from the said account, resulting in an unexplained shortfall of Rs. 24 billion. He explained that these accounts are nominally under the Finance Department but are practically overseen by district accounts officers under the AG's Office. Director NAB KP, Shafqat Mehmood, apprised the meeting that NAB has already initiated an inquiry into the matter, and all relevant documents, bank records, and official files have been requisitioned. He assured the committee that it would be kept informed as the investigation progresses. MPAs Sajjadullah, Arbab Usman, and Ahmad Karim Kundi expressed serious concerns during the meeting, stating that the lack of transparency in the allocation and utilization of development funds undermines public trust. Advisor to the Finance Department, Muzzammil Aslam, informed the committee that between 2019 and 2024, Rs. 594 billion was released for development projects, including Rs. 125 billion for road infrastructure. He clarified that the account in question was directly managed by the C&W Department, and the Finance Department had no direct oversight over it. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
991 industrial units operational in K-P
The industrialists believe that addressing these fundamental issues will unlock the tremendous potential of the HITE to accommodate more industries. photo: file In a recent session of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, it was revealed that 991 small industrial units are currently operational across the province, while only nine remain inactive. However, of the 218 large industrial units, 129 are reportedly struggling due to financial crisis. The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, included a detailed question-and-answer segment during which Provincial Minister for Industries Abdul Karim responded to queries raised by MPA Sobia Shahid. He stated that reasons behind the closure of some industrial units vary as five units are non-functional due to ongoing court cases and 26 due to electricity-related issues. One due to the impact of COVID-19 while five due to customs-related complications and three owing to a shortage of raw materials. He said that eight units were non-functional due to internal disputes among directors while four due to weak marketing and one due to security concerns The minister added that between 90 and 100 industrial units were successfully revived during the previous government's tenure. During the session, JUI-F lawmaker Adnan Khan raised concerns about the declining trend in vehicle registrations across the province. He pointed out that registrations have dropped from 106,000 in 202122 to 95,000 in 202223, and further to 66,000 in the current fiscal year. He warned that the drop poses a threat to provincial revenues, and questioned why some districts report high vehicle registration figures despite lower revenue collection. Responding to the issue, Minister for Excise and Taxation Khaliqur Rehman explained that the discrepancy is partly due to the inclusion of motorcycle registrations in the total figures, which affects revenue projections. He noted that 7,078 more vehicles have been registered this year compared to the previous year, resulting in an overall increase in revenue. Regarding imported vehicles, the minister clarified that each vehicle's tax status is verified before registration.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PAC probes Rs36b 'fraud' in govt funds
An emergency meeting, convened under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Babar Saleem Swati, was held at the Provincial Assembly following the startling revelation of alleged embezzlement amounting to over Rs36 billion from government bank accounts in Upper Kohistan district of the province. The meeting was attended by the K-P Accountant General, Advisor to the Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Members of the Assembly Sajjadullah Khan, Mian Sharafat, Shafiullah Jan, and Asif Khan Mehsud, as well as senior officers of the Provincial Assembly Secretariat. The meeting reviewed in detail recent media reports which exposed suspicious financial transactions involving more than Rs36 billion, along with the issuance of thousands of fake cheques drawn from government accounts through a fictitious construction company. The reports alleged collusion by officials from the District Accounts Office, the Department of Communications and Works, the National Bank, and other concerned entities. Given the gravity of the matter, the Speaker, in a prompt and decisive move, summoned a special session of the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, May 5. The Secretary Finance, Director General NAB Peshawar, Accountant General K-P, Auditor General, Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary Communications and Works, and Director General Audit have all been formally instructed to attend. The objective is to examine every dimension of the matter and ensure thorough investigation. On the directive of the Speaker, official communication has been issued by the Assembly Secretariat to all relevant departments to ensure their participation. Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati strongly condemned the alleged embezzlement, declaring that those who plunder the public's hard-earned money will face strict accountability. He stated, "The K-P Assembly is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, and all those involved will be brought to justice in accordance with the law." He further emphasized that a comprehensive inquiry will be conducted to determine the failure of responsible officials within the Finance Department to prevent such a large-scale financial fraud. Concluding his remarks, the Speaker underlined the significance of financial integrity, stating, "Without financial transparency and effective accountability, public trust cannot be restored, and the Assembly will take all necessary measures to achieve this goal." Background A local newspaper reported that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has unearthed a whopping Rs40 billion scam in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's accounts concerning misappropriation of funds.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
KP PA discusses Mines & Minerals Bill 2025
PESHAWAR: A consultative session on the KP Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 was held at the Old Jirga Hall of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The session was chaired by Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, who delivered the opening remarks and briefed participants on the bill. The session was attended by Deputy Speaker Suraiya Bibi, Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah, Minister for Law Aftab Alam, members of the Provincial Assembly, officials from relevant departments, lawyers, and representatives from civil society. The Speaker explained that the session was convened in light of the questions, concerns, and suggestions raised regarding the bill, with the aim of incorporating the views of all stakeholders. He noted that following cabinet approval and the bill's introduction in the Assembly, it faced scrutiny at various levels, including political circles, civil society, and media discussions, both nationally and internationally. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mining bill sparks uproar in the House
A briefing on the proposed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 at the provincial assembly turned chaotic on Monday due to strong objections from lawmakers. The disruption led Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to adjourn the meeting and postpon the briefing until next Monday, April 21. Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), particularly those representing merged districts, staged a walkout in protest. They announced their intention to raise the issue with PTI founder Imran Khan. Assembly members criticized the Mines and Minerals Department for failing to present a timely and clear comparison between the previous 2017 bill and the new 2025 version. Many expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and preparation. Sources told The Express Tribune that the briefing was held in the Jirga Hall of the Provincial Assembly to address and build consensus among government and opposition members. The session was attended by the Speaker, Provincial Law Minister, Advocate General, and members from both sides of the aisle. Tensions flared when the Secretary and Director General of the Minerals Department began presenting the bill. PTI MPA Abdul Salam Afridi objected, claiming the bill was against the public interest and would allow unfair control over the province's resources. ANP MPA Muhammad Nisar echoed these concerns, accusing the government of trying to hand over mineral resources to private companies through non-transparent means. A heated exchange then broke out between Provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi and ANP MPA Muhammad Nisar. Nisar alleged the government aimed to loot provincial resources, while Meena Khan responded that ANP had supported a similar bill in Balochistan and had overseen peak corruption in the sector during their tenure. Seeing the situation out of control, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati intervened and adjourned the briefing till next Monday, April 21. He appealed to members to discuss the matter in a peaceful atmosphere. During the briefing, PTI MPA Anwar Zaib raised an objection as to whether this bill has been brought to the notice of the PTI founder. If it has not been brought to the notice of Imran Khan, then they cannot listen to this bill nor will they approve it. He said that they, as lawmakers from the merged districts, walk out of this briefing. The briefing was stopped after the walkout. The briefing of the Department of Minerals on the Mines and Minerals Act 2025 ended after the walkout of the members. Speaker Saleem Swati expressed anger at the Department of Minerals for failing to present a comparison in front of the assembly. The Speaker issued orders to provide hard copies to the lawmakers by this afternoon. Opposition members said that the bill increased the control of the federal government or private companies over provincial resources, but the government maintained that the new law will help stop illegal mining and modernize the industry. PTI and ANP members insisted that the bill should be further debated and transformed into a public interest bill. After the Speaker's order, a briefing will be held again next Monday.
