Press Release Title: Senator Rubina Qaim Khani, Convener Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety presiding over a meeting of the Sub-Committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad

Press Release Date: 4th June, 2026

The Sub‑Committee of the Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety met today, 4th June 2026, at Old PIPs Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, under the convenership of Senator Rubina Qaim Khani, to review PBM’s compliance with binding directives issued on 10th October 2025, 16th April 2026, 30th April 2026, and 13th May 2026. The meeting was also attended by Senator Dost Ali Jeesar and Senator Jan Muhammad, along with the Secretary PBM, Managing Director, Director Finance, Director Audit, Director R&D, Deputy Director Establishment, and other officers. Despite the lapse of over seven months and five meetings, the PBM management has failed to submit any compliance report. No action has been taken on the reversal of illegal promotions, recovery of unlawful financial benefits, or implementation of Supreme Court judgments. Furthermore, the internal inquiry into procurement irregularities initiated in June 2025 remains un‑finalized. The Director Audit informed the Committee that his wing had already indicated all these irregularities, as it is their duty to apprise the management. In response, the Convener observed that this demonstrates the internal audit team failed to address the matters owing to mafia tactics. This persistent defiance amounts to willful obstruction of parliamentary oversight. The management stated: "Who submits a report on affidavit? Therefore, it is not possible for the management to state on affidavit that no irregularities or corruption occurred, nor that nepotism, favouritism, or systemic corruption took place, and that all matters were conducted in accordance with principles and laws." The department and the Committee agreed on a special audit. Accordingly, in exercise of its powers under Rule 183 of the Senate Rules of Procedure, 2012, and having granted the department a final opportunity, the Convener today issued formal reference letters to the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) and the Director General, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The AGP has been requested to conduct a special audit of PBM covering excess promotions (315 promotions beyond the lawful quota, causing a loss of Rs. 190 million); illegal promotions of 191 officers (2018‑2023); illegal advance payment of Rs. 60 million and total procurement violations of Rs. 145 million; unauthorised back‑benefits of Rs. 190 million; illegal upgradations based on misinterpretation of Finance Division Office Memoranda; appointment based on a counterfeit MBA degree (verified by HEC); tampering with official records and concealment of approximately 70 stop‑gap engagements by HR officers; and misuse of authority and financial impropriety. The FIA has been requested to directly take over the matter in case of non‑cooperation by PBM management during the audit, and to register an FIR against responsible officers if complete records are not provided within thirty days.   The Sub‑Committee reiterates that its objective is not to target individuals but to eliminate institutional irregularities, restore the rule of law, and bring PBM’s governance into conformity with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the Rules of Business, 1973, the Estacode, and binding judgments of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Any disciplinary consequences for individual officers shall flow from the lawful application of accountability mechanisms, not from personal prejudice. Owing to these irregularities and the loss of over Rs. 1.015 billion (one hundred one crore fifty lakh rupees) to the government exchequer, it is the poorest citizens who are suffering the most.