A special audit of the Punjab Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has uncovered major irregularities in the use of official vehicles, resulting in a financial loss of over Rs. 9 million to the provincial exchequer during the fiscal year 2022–2023. The findings point to serious violations of the 2008 official transport policy, which governs the allocation and use of government vehicles.
According to the audit, several vehicles were unlawfully issued to individuals who were not eligible under the existing transport policy. These included junior staff and officers on special assignments who did not meet the required rank or designation to qualify for official vehicles. The misallocation also included vehicles with engine capacities above the approved limits, leading to excessive expenditures on fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
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The total loss identified from these violations amounted to Rs. 9,095,063. The audit attributes the misuse to weak internal controls, poor oversight, and administrative negligence within the department. Despite official notices issued in August and September 2023, the department failed to respond, and although a follow-up meeting was conducted in January 2024, many critical issues remain unresolved.
This is not the first instance of such financial mismanagement. A previous audit for the fiscal year 2017–2018 had highlighted similar violations, resulting in losses of Rs. 20.1 million. The recurring nature of these findings suggests a persistent lack of accountability within the department.
The audit report has recommended immediate disciplinary action against those responsible and called for urgent reforms to prevent the continued misuse of public resources. These findings have sparked renewed calls for transparency and stricter enforcement of vehicle allocation policies across all provincial government departments.
