The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly on Thursday took serious notice of illegal appointment of two deputy chairmen in National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and use of a big fleet of 737 vehicles by the Agri-business Support Fund, and sought details from the interior and agriculture ministries in this regard.
During meeting of the PAC under Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal, NADRA was also directed to get its account audited by the Auditor General (AG) Pakistan. The authority was told that under the 18th amendment, all departments getting funds from the federal government were bound to get their accounts audited. The committee was also informed that the case of two deputy chairmen of NADRA was sub judice. It was also told that the NADRA board did not approve of the appointment of the two officers.
Yasmin Rehman said if the board had declared the appointment of the two officers’ illegal, what would then be their current status. The interior ministry was directed to give a response regarding the issue within a week.
Meanwhile, secretary information told the committee that the ministry had no objection over the audit of the National Press Trust and a letter had also been sent to the AG for this purpose.
The committee was informed by officials concerned that the Agri-business Support Fund would cost Rs 4 billion to build the capacity of farmers to increase their production and income.
The experts said that under this programme 57 projects were under implementation and 737 vehicles were being purchased, adding that 491 vehicles out of the total number were with the government while others had been distributed among the provinces.
The AG also sought the support of the PAC for making his office independent of the finance ministry. He said, presently the auditor general office was being considered as an attached department of the ministry and its figures were not being recognised at the international level.
