Audit Report Exposes Financial Irregularities at UET

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has uncovered significant financial irregularities and illegal appointments at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in a recent audit report covering the period from 2019 to 2023.

The report, which focuses on the tenure of former vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar, reveals serious discrepancies. According to the findings, UET misappropriated Rs166 million in employee tax deductions.

Notably, the audit highlights the illegal appointment of Dr Muhammad Mohsin as coordinator of the UET Faisalabad Campus, demanding a recovery of approximately Rs7 million. Additionally, the appointment of Dr Shahid Rafiq as Dean of Natural Sciences and Humanities was deemed unlawful, resulting in a recovery of Rs13 million.

The report also flags severe financial mismanagement, which has hindered UET’s ability to disburse salaries and pensions. It identifies a total misappropriation of Rs200 million in employee tax deductions during Mr. Sarwar’s term. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a notice to UET regarding the non-payment of taxes.

Further scrutiny revealed the illegal appointment of Arshi Khalid as an associate professor of mathematics, necessitating a recovery of Rs7.5 million. Additionally, UET incurred a loss of Rs273 million from the non-auctioning of 91 shops. The audit indicates that these financial irregularities have led UET into a severe financial crisis, affecting its operational capabilities.