Haroon Siraj
SWAT
A review of development projects in Malakand Division has raised questions over payments totalling Rs1.309 billion made in 122 projects before corresponding progress on the ground, prompting the commissioner to order an audit of Communications and Works (C&W) Department officials and contractors.
The review of official monitoring and evaluation reports also highlighted delays in construction work, missing material-testing records and gaps in site supervision, raising concerns about the monitoring of publicly funded development schemes.
According to the report, 641 of 921 construction works around 70 percent remained incomplete beyond their scheduled timelines. It also found that material testing had not been recorded in 454 of 656 cases, while site registers were missing in 593 of 817 cases.
The findings have prompted questions about how projects were monitored, whether construction standards were properly checked and what action was taken when shortcomings were identified.
The report referred to payments amounting to Rs1.309bn in 122 projects before work had made corresponding progress. The timing and justification of these payments, as well as the status of the projects concerned, are expected to be examined during the audit.
Commissioner Malakand Iqbal Hussain has directed that the relevant C&W officials and contractors be audited and sought a complete account of the projects and payments. The chief engineer has also been directed to provide the required details promptly.
