KP Finance Department exposed in Rs440 million recruitment scandal

A major scandal has emerged within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Department, revealing 88 illegal recruitments, which have caused a financial loss exceeding Rs440 million to the provincial government, The News reported. 

The irregularities, which occurred between 2019 and 2024, involved the unauthorised hiring of drivers, Naib Qasids, and sanitary workers under fake position codes (PR4041, PR8657, and PR8042). Documents show that these recruitments were made without following the required legal procedures. Official advertisements, recruitment committees, and necessary approvals from relevant authorities were all bypassed.

According to the report, several officials within the Finance Department and the Accountant General (AG) Office were involved in the illegal hiring process. 

Additionally, crucial employment documents such as service books and medical records for all 88 employees were missing. When the scandal was exposed, most of the implicated employees were quickly transferred to other departments.

Despite an official directive from the Finance Department to suspend the salaries of these employees, the Accountant General’s office reportedly failed to comply, allowing the financial loss to continue. 

An investigation into the matter has been launched, with KP’s Finance Adviser Mazammil Aslam confirming that a committee has been formed to identify the individuals responsible. The Anti-Corruption Department has also been asked to take up the case.