Senate panel uncovers Rs450m scam in Poverty Alleviation Ministry, PBM

Parliamentary sources have revealed that the probe uncovered financial irregularities exceeding Rs 450 million, including alleged misuse of development funds, irregular payments to ghost employees and favored contractors, suspicious procurements, and diversion of resources earmarked for poverty alleviation schemes

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Sub-Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has exposed a major scandal of illegal hirings, irregular promotions, and serious financial irregularities amounting to over Rs. 450 million in the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) .

According to official documents issued by the Senate Secretariat on April 29, 2026, and signed by Muhammad Akram, Superintendent (C-II), the approved minutes of the sub-committee meeting held on April 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Parliament House, Islamabad, have been circulated with urgent directives for action. The immediate letter sent by special messenger demands suitable steps in light of the sub-committee’s recommendations and requires a detailed compliance report in 15 copies at the earliest.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Rubina Qaim Khani as Convener and attended by Senator Jan Muhammad and Senator Dost Ali Jeesar, thoroughly examined complaints related to establishment matters and financial discrepancies. Officials from the Ministry, including the Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary, along with PBM representatives, were present during the proceedings. The sub-committee explicitly noted that Mr. Ijaz Qasim, Deputy Director (Establishment/HR) of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, provided misleading information to the lawmakers.

Parliamentary sources have revealed that the probe uncovered financial irregularities exceeding Rs 450 million, including alleged misuse of development funds, irregular payments to ghost employees and favored contractors, suspicious procurements, and diversion of resources earmarked for poverty alleviation schemes.

Despite the gravity of the findings, sources allege that the Secretary of the Ministry and the Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal are siding with the corrupt elements by protecting these officials and showing reluctance to initiate strict disciplinary action or recovery proceedings. The Senate Secretariat has forwarded the approved minutes to the Secretary, Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad; the Section Officer (Council) in the Ministry; and P.A. to Convener Senator Rubina Qaim Khani.

Lawmakers expressed deep concern that such widespread irregularities not only violate service rules and financial regulations but also betray the trust of millions of poor Pakistanis who rely on these institutions. The sub-committee’s minutes highlight how illegal hirings appear to have facilitated the financial mismanagement, creating a nexus of beneficiaries at the cost of public exchequer.

As the Senate has demanded prompt reporting on actions taken against the accused, intense pressure is now on the Secretary of the Ministry and the MD PBM to explain their alleged protection of the network.