PAC Probes Rs 49M Unjustified Contractor Payments at QUEST, Demands Recovery and Accountability
Nadeem Tanoli
ISLAMABAD – The Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), Nawabshah, is under Public Accounts Committee (PAC) scrutiny over unjustified payments of Rs 49.01 million made to contractors for price escalation on construction projects, despite the absence of any contractual provision allowing such claims.
Audit findings revealed that the payments covered materials including cement, steel, and bricks for the construction of hostels, a boundary wall, and a gymnasium. Clause 16 of the contract explicitly stated that contractors were not entitled to enhanced rates. The PAC was informed that an inquiry committee in 2018 had already concluded the payments were made without legal or contractual justification.
Expressing concern over the delay in addressing the matter, the PAC directed the Higher Education Commission’s Monitoring & Evaluation Division to examine the 2018 inquiry report, verify the actual cost of the projects, and review all supporting documents within three working days.
The committee further ordered the Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) to provide a clear explanation of the inquiry’s outcome, ensure swift recovery of the unlawfully paid amount, and take action against the officials responsible for authorizing the payments. The PAC stressed that such breaches undermine public trust and waste critical resources meant for the improvement of higher education infrastructure.
