The Pakistan Railways suffered a loss of over Rs 20 billion due to irregularities by the employees of the department during 2013-2014 but no action has been taken against the officials responsible so far, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to the audit report for the year 2013-14 by the Auditor General of Pakistan, Pakistan Railways suffered a loss of Rs 10.2 billion because of delay in repairing of the rolling stocks during the year 2012-2013.
Equipment worth Rs 250 million has been stolen, whereas there is no record of cases worth Rs 1.14 billion, the report states.
Pakistan Railways is suffering losses worth billions every year due to insufficient number of freight trains and engines. The report says that 57 diesel/electric engines out of a total of 69 have been grounded.
The audit report further said that high-speed diesel worth Rs 2.94 billion was purchased against the rules, adding that additional expenses worth Rs 3.35 billion were drawn from the national exchequer to pay off excessive number of employees.
As many as 202 train coaches cost an additional Rs 1.58 billion, said the audit report, adding that unnecessary equipment worth Rs 220 million was purchased whereas dues worth Rs 130 million were not received. Pakistan Railways also suffered a loss worth Rs 40.8 million due to delay in installation of the machinery.
Ironically, despite failing to achieve the targets an additional ‘overtime’ amount of Rs 120 million was paid to the employees.