Audit flags Rs25.74 million irregular spending in Diamer Bhasha Dam project over salaries of non-project officers

Audit authorities have identified an irregular expenditure of Rs25.744 million in the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project (DBDP), alleging that officers posted outside the project were paid salaries and allowances from funds meant for dam construction.

According to the audit report, two officers—a Director (Civil) and a Deputy Director (PR)—were attached as Staff Officers to the Chairman Wapda in Islamabad since September 9, 2021, and September 22, 2022, respectively.

Another officer, appointed as Chief Logistic Officer for the project in December 2020, was later posted in Lahore and reappointed as Advisor (HR & Logistics) on January 31, 2025, despite no such post existing in the approved PC-I.

The audit found that although these officers were not performing duties related to the project, they were paid Rs25.744 million, including Rs17.717 million to the two Staff Officers and Rs8.027 million to the officer posted in Lahore.

It noted that the approved PC-I did not provide for the posts of Staff Officers at the Liaison Office in Islamabad and sanctioned only one Chief Logistic Officer, with no provision for an Advisor (HR & Logistics). The audit said charging their salaries to the project violated the approved PC-I, the project's Administrative Approval, and the Wapda Budget Manual.

The matter was raised with the management in September 2025 and reported to the Ministry of Water Resources in December 2025. While the management said the postings were made in the Authority's interest, the audit rejected the explanation, terming the appointments a violation of the PC-I.

The audit has recommended stopping salary payments from project funds and recovering the amount already paid from Wapda's Coordination Wing.