KP schools’ tablet and computer purchases under investigation over alleged irregularities

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the purchase of tablets and computers for schools across the province.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the purchase of tablets and computers for schools across the province.

According to a notification issued by the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, the investigation will examine procurement transactions involving millions of rupees and determine whether the equipment was purchased and used for its intended purposes.

Deputy Secretary Administration Education Naseem Khan will head the inquiry committee. Section Officer Audit Mushtaq Ahmad has also been appointed as a member while the third member will be nominated by the committee itself.

The inquiry will cover the purchase of tablets and personal computers worth Rs359.021 million. An audit concerning another procurement amount of Rs15.445 million will also form part of the investigation, according to the department’s notification.

The committee has been tasked with examining the purpose and justification behind the purchases and assessing how the equipment has been used. It will also investigate why decisions made by the Departmental Accounts Committee were not implemented.

Officials and employees responsible for any failure to act on those decisions will be identified as part of the inquiry.

In addition, the committee will inspect stock registers and physically verify the tablets and computers purchased for educational institutions. The review will assess whether the equipment is available as recorded and whether it has been put to appropriate use.

The investigation will also estimate any potential financial loss to the public treasury arising from the procurement process or the non-utilisation of the purchased equipment.

The committee has been directed to submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the competent authority within three days.

The inquiry is intended to establish the facts surrounding the purchases examine compliance with departmental decisions and identify any officials responsible for irregularities. The allegations remain subject to the findings of the investigation.