Islamabad: (RightNow) The Auditor General’s report uncovers over PKR 16 billion irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minerals Department. The report highlights PKR 16.94 billion in discrepancies and an additional PKR 8 billion loss due to illegal mining.

The report also states that PKR 810 million from mineral leaseholders and PKR 580 million from joint venture profits remain unrecovered.

Outstanding dues of PKR 4.31 billion from defaulting contractors are yet to be collected, and undercharged government land rent resulted in a PKR 140 million loss.

These revelations raise questions about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s financial transparency and could impact the province’s economy.

It is noteworthy that the mineral sector is a crucial economic pillar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and lack of transparency could lead to economic losses.