Lahore: (RightNow) The Auditor General of Pakistan’s report uncovers financial irregularities in Punjab’s financial system. The report indicates a financial loss exceeding Rs 466.47 billion due to these irregularities.

The report states that Rs 570.79 billion were distributed without interim committee approval. Audit objections were also raised on Rs 20.33 billion funds of the Sugarcane Development Cess.

Rs 11.5 billion were released for a highway project before finalizing the loan agreement. In the Punjab Revenue Authority, Rs 1.39 crore purchases were split to avoid tendering.

Recovery orders of Rs 7.4 crore from officers in the Multan Accounts Office were not executed. Unauthorized executive allowances of Rs 54.95 lakh were paid.

It is noteworthy that the audit report attributes weak financial and internal controls as the primary cause of these irregularities.