Audit finds Rs6.5m solar panels stolen from Punjab schools

An audit report submitted to the Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee-III has revealed that solar panels worth more than Rs6.5 million were stolen from 50 government schools in Rajanpur district during 2022–23.

The committee expressed serious concern over the thefts and directed that police investigations be expanded across the province, citing the possibility of similar incidents in other districts.

Committee member Tanveer Aslam Malik urged district police officers in the affected areas to be issued strict directives.

He further called for a complete record of the targeted schools and clarification on whether any of the stolen panels had been recovered.

Officials from the Education Department confirmed that police cases had been registered in connection with the thefts. However, the Audit Department noted that local education authorities had failed to ensure the security of the panels installed at schools.

The committee stressed that accountability measures should be strengthened to prevent further losses to public resources.