Another Corruption Scandal Surfaces from PTI’s Usman Buzdar Era

Punjab’s Health Department Faces Rs 66 Million Procurement Irregularities

Lahore: A major corruption scandal has emerged from the tenure of former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, as Rs 66 million worth of medicines, surgical equipment, and machinery were allegedly procured without following the required legal procedures. The details were disclosed in a recent report presented by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), revealing significant financial irregularities in the Health Department Punjab during 2020-21.

According to the PAC report, a substantial amount of life-saving drugs, including medicines for blood pressure, diabetes control, blood thinners, antibiotics, glucose, and essential instruments for heart and kidney surgeries, were purchased without floating the necessary tenders. This blatant disregard for procurement laws raises serious concerns regarding transparency and accountability in public health spending.

Moreover, the report highlights that procurement for all government hospitals across Punjab was conducted without adherence to declared rules and legal requirements. The lack of due process in acquiring crucial medical supplies raises questions about the motives behind these unauthorized transactions.

Among the districts implicated in the scandal, Muzaffargarh stands out with the highest reported financial discrepancies. The District Health Authority Muzaffargarh allegedly spent Rs 66.541 million on medicines, stationery, printing materials, and general store items without following the legal procurement process. The financial mismanagement extends to hospitals in Kot Adu and Jatoi tehsils, where procurement records show excessive local purchases in a manner that raises suspicions of corruption.

Despite repeated warnings and recommendations by the Audit Department, authorities failed to take corrective measures. The report states that the District Accounts Committee (DAC) was required to convene a meeting to address these financial discrepancies, but no such meeting was held. This inaction suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny and accountability.

Following the Audit Department’s findings, the case has now been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for further investigation. The PAC has initiated an inquiry into the matter to determine the extent of financial embezzlement and identify those responsible for the mismanagement.

The exposure of this latest corruption scandal has added to the list of financial mismanagement cases reported during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Punjab. Former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s administration has frequently faced allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds. Critics argue that such financial misconduct in the health sector has had direct consequences on patient care and service delivery in government hospitals across Punjab.

With the PAC now investigating the matter, stakeholders, including opposition parties and civil society, are demanding strict legal action against those responsible. The scandal also raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of financial oversight mechanisms in the province.

As the PAC proceeds with its investigation, all eyes are on the findings that could potentially lead to legal proceedings against those involved in these irregularities. The public awaits accountability measures to ensure that corruption in essential public services, especially in the healthcare sector, is curbed to prevent such incidents in the future.

The case serves as yet another reminder of the importance of financial transparency and adherence to procurement regulations, especially in sectors that directly impact public health and welfare.