KARACHI: A staggering Rs40 billion corruption scandal has surfaced at Karachi’s National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), according to a new audit report for fiscal year 2023–24. The revelation, made by the Director General Audit Sindh, has triggered immediate action from provincial authorities.
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho took urgent notice of the alleged financial irregularities and has ordered a formal investigation. A two-member inquiry committee — comprising the Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Health Department — has been formed to examine the matter. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.
The audit report outlines suspected irregularities totaling Rs40 billion, raising serious concerns over financial governance and transparency within one of Pakistan’s leading cardiac institutes.
However, the NICVD spokesperson has downplayed the allegations, stating that the audit observations are routine and preliminary in nature. “Audit paras are a standard part of financial reviews across government bodies,” the spokesperson said. “Labeling these observations as definitive corruption without investigation is misleading and irresponsible.”
The institute clarified that many of the audit objections stem from appointments made between 2017 and 2018, well before the current Executive Director took charge in November 2023. NICVD assured full cooperation with the audit process and vowed to respond to each audit para in detail.