An audit has uncovered that over 13,000 computer tablets, valued at more than Rs360 million, are unaccounted for in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department. The devices, initially procured to support teacher training initiatives, were meant to be returned upon completion of the programs. However, the report indicates that 13,221 tablets remain missing, with only 1,779 of the 15,000 purchased units recovered. Of the recovered devices, 79 were found to be defective. Accessories such as hands-free sets, SD cards, and chargers issued with some of the missing tablets are also not traceable.
Each device was purchased at a cost of Rs28,314, and the audit warns that replacements will need to be procured if the missing units are not recovered, potentially adding further strain to public funds. The Auditor General has recommended immediate steps for recovery, as well as disciplinary measures against individuals found responsible for the losses. The findings underscore systemic weaknesses in the department’s oversight and equipment tracking processes, raising questions about internal accountability mechanisms.
The report’s release comes against the backdrop of earlier financial irregularities linked to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Previous allegations include the Kohistan case, involving an estimated Rs40 billion loss, the Citizen Improvement Project with Rs32 billion in questionable spending, and irregularities amounting to Rs28 billion in the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project. These repeated concerns over fiscal mismanagement have added to public pressure for stronger governance and monitoring.
The latest audit findings have drawn attention to the need for improved asset management in government-led educational programs, particularly those involving high-value technology equipment. While the devices were intended to enhance digital capacity and teacher training, the lack of an effective retrieval and verification system has undermined the program’s objectives. Officials have yet to issue a public statement addressing the audit results or outlining steps to ensure accountability and prevent similar lapses in the future.
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