Web Desk: Questions have emerged over the financial handling of five major road development projects in DI Khan during the tenure of former federal minister Asad Mahmood, following reports that contracts were re-tendered and approved at rates significantly above official cost estimates.
According to the information available, the revised tender rates exceeded the government’s estimated project costs by approximately 51% to 55%, raising concerns about potential financial losses to the national exchequer.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to procurement practices, contract approvals and financial oversight of public infrastructure projects.
The controversy centres on the decision to re-tender five road projects and subsequently approve contracts at substantially higher rates.
The reported increases have prompted questions about whether the revised costs reflected legitimate changes in construction expenses, project specifications or market conditions.
However, the available information does not establish why the projects were re-tendered, who authorised the revised rates or whether procurement regulations were violated.
The total value of the contracts and the precise financial impact on public funds have also not been disclosed.
The road projects were undertaken during Asad Mahmood’s tenure as a federal minister, placing decisions made during that period under scrutiny.
However, the timing of the contracts alone does not establish the former minister’s personal involvement in procurement decisions or responsibility for any financial irregularities.
Determining accountability would require an examination of tender documents, departmental approvals, engineering estimates and the roles of officials involved in awarding the contracts.
Meanwhile, the controversy concerning the road projects comes amid a separate investigation involving individuals reportedly associated with the social media operations of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
According to sources cited in the supplied account, the Interior Ministry has recommended placing JUI-F social media official Sadaqat Khan on the Exit Control List (ECL) as the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) examines reports of coordinated online campaigns targeting state institutions and the Pakistan Army.
The investigation reportedly followed a complaint lodged by Azaad Digital Chief Executive Officer Musawir Abbasi concerning threats and harassment involving individuals reportedly associated with the party.
Sources also claim that investigators have questioned detained social media activists and examined possible coordination between accounts used to distribute online content.
However, no evidence has been presented establishing a connection between the cybercrime investigation and the financial irregularities under examination in the DI Khan road projects.
The reported increases in contract rates highlight the importance of transparent procurement procedures and independent scrutiny of government-funded infrastructure schemes.
A comprehensive examination of the five projects would need to establish whether the revised tender prices were justified, whether competitive bidding requirements were followed and whether public funds suffered any quantifiable loss.
Such a review would also need to distinguish legitimate cost revisions from potential violations of procurement rules.
The available material does not identify an official audit report, formal investigation or regulatory finding confirming wrongdoing in the award of the five road contracts.
It also contains no response from Asad Mahmood, JUI-F representatives or the departments responsible for the projects.
Consequently, the reported irregularities remain unverified, and no conclusion about financial misconduct or individual responsibility can be drawn from the information currently available.
Further documentation and official responses will be necessary to determine whether the reported cost increases resulted from lawful procurement decisions or financial irregularities requiring administrative or legal action.
Read more: Interior Ministry recommends placing JUIF social media head Sadaqat Khan on ECL
