Revelations about recruitment at Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) have surfaced in the Auditor General of Pakistan’s audit reports for 2023-24 and, later, 2025- 26, but no action has been taken.
In the 2023-24 annual audit report, the Auditor General of Pakistan deemed the recruitment of the Group Head (HR) illegal and in violation of bank policy, directing the bank to conduct a special inquiry; however, instead of taking concrete action, the bank’s management, swayed by undue influence, suppressed the report.
In the subsequent 2025-26 annual report, the Auditor General once again highlighted illegal and policy-violating recruitments within the bank. Bank management, including the Group Head (HR), suppressed this latest report as well in a bid to save their jobs.
Now, there is a question: Will the new President, Mr. Muhammad Arif, be able to take action on these reports and recover the funds (approximately 1 billion) intended for the welfare of farmers from these corrupt individuals?