KP govt orders 12-year forensic audit to investigate mega corruption scandals

PESHAWAR (Zeeshan Kakakhel) - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit across all provincial departments following complaints of corruption, including the high-profile Kohistan mega corruption scandal.

According to documents obtained by Dunya News, the audit will examine all suspicious, fake, and illegal payments made over the past 12 years, covering the period from 2013 to 2024. The provincial Finance Department has initiated the process of hiring a private firm to carry out the third-party forensic audit.

The selected firm will be paid Rs 48.5 million for its services. The Finance Department has already contacted all relevant departments, asking them to prepare records for scrutiny.

Sources in the Finance Department confirmed that the consultant firm was chosen strictly in accordance with procurement laws. The firm will be required to follow all departmental terms and conditions, including the timely submission of audit reports.

Documents further reveal that penalties will be imposed if the firm fails to submit reports on time. Additionally, any negligence during the audit process may result in a ban on the firm. The audit reports will be submitted in phases at the divisional level.

Under the plan, forensic audits will begin in Peshawar during the first phase, followed by Hazara and Malakand in the second phase, and Kohat and Bannu in the third phase.