The Auditor General of Pakistan has exposed massive irregularities in the COVID-19 relief package distributed through power distribution companies (DISCOs).
A special audit report revealed that subsidies worth billions of rupees were misused between 2019 and 2021 under the Rs 106 billion relief package meant for small and medium industries.
According to the report, DISCOs ignored directives from the Power Division and Power Information Company, leading to widespread misuse. More than one million ineligible consumers were included in the package, some of whom were found to be using illegal connections. The audit disclosed that:
- 588 consumers involved in power theft were wrongfully included.
- Over 144,000 defaulters were granted benefits amounting to Rs 1.39 billion.
- Nearly 97,000 consumers received Rs 1 billion in subsidies without verification.
- Several industrialists had multiple electricity connections under the same identity card.
- More than Rs 7.7 billion in subsidies were disbursed to consumers enrolled after the package deadline.
- Around 57,000 individuals who obtained connections later were also included.
- Over 11,000 beneficiaries could not provide proof of permanent address.
The audit further revealed that an additional Rs 2.43 billion was disbursed in excess subsidies.
The findings raise serious questions over the transparency and monitoring of government relief efforts during the pandemic.
