Effective working of the audit department in any country can help remove irregularities and ensure good governance and accountability in financial matters.
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated this while addressing officers and officials during his visit to the Office of Auditor General of Pakistan on Friday. He also had a meeting with the Auditor General Rana Assad Amin prior to his address.
The minister went on to say that the PML-N government had a resolve to introduce complete transparency and accountability in all governmental affairs. He said active role of the office of Auditor General of Pakistan could not only help end corruption but also lessen the burden on institutions like FIA and NAB.
The minister welcomed the measures being introduced by the newly-appointed Auditor General Rana Assad Amin for revamping the office of AGP. He welcomed the 2015-19 strategic plan being undertaken by the auditor general which aimed at improving the overall auditing system. The minister emphasised that the AGP should keep active liaison with organisations like ICMA, ICAP and other international bodies for brining improvement in the audit system and also better devising of the strategic plan. He said the AGP office should resolve to attain world class auditing standards in the country. With the change of leadership, he could observe a visible improvement in the working of AGP’s office. This spirit should always be kept alive, he added.
The finance minister said Pakistan had a lot of potential. “It has shown tremendous resilience in the face of economic hardship. The country has achieved economic stability and now it is time to further build on this strong foundation. We should not stop here but rather continue on the path to economic prosperity,” he said.
Auditor General Rana Assad Amin welcomed the finance minister and briefed him about the strategic plan under which active liaison with international organisations/donors, training of officers abroad and introduction of modern auditing techniques was envisaged. Emphasis would also be laid on procurement of quality equipment and infrastructure development under the plan. He said the AGP office had offered bid for audit in WFP and was also eyeing IOM and Interpol for similar auditing opportunities.
