News
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
PAC seeks record of money spent on launch of Musharraf’s book in US* Body asks under what rule(s) taxpayers’ money was spent on launch of book and construction of pool in Islamabad Club
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday expressed reservations over spending of Rs 20.800 million by the culture and sports minister on performance of troupes in Washington DC during former president’s visit.
The committee met under the chairmanship of Nadeem Afzal Gondal to discuss the audit objections of the National Heritage and States and Frontier Regions ministries for the years 1996-97, 2000-01, 2006-07 (FY 2005-06) and 2008-09).
The principal accounting officer told the committee that the record of Rs 208 million expenditure on performance of culture troupes and Rs 10 million given to the Rawalpindi Golf Club was missing from the ministry’s record.
Gondal said that if the National Heritage Ministry did not search record in one month the responsibility would be fixed against it.
PAC Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal said the huge amount was spent during the inauguration of Musharraf’s book in the US. This is taxpayers’ money and it should not be wasted, Gondal said, adding that this audit para would not be settled until provision of complete record in this regard. The committee ordered the Heritage Ministry secretary to probe the case.
PAC also expressed reservation over construction of a swimming pool in the Islamabad Club by then prime minister Shaukat Aziz from his discretionary funds at the total cost of Rs 3 million. The committee questioned that under what rule(s) the taxpayers’ money was spent on the launch of the book and construction of the pool.
The committee also showed displeasure over the inquiry of the National Accountability Bureau and huge embezzlements in the accounts of Afghan refugees aid received from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Gondal ordered the Frontier Regions Ministry to conduct a fresh inquiry against former officers and sought report within 20 days. Discussing the audit paras of the Interior Ministry, the officials told the committee that secretary and additional secretary were abroad. Gondal directed the ministry to provide schedule of both officials and said that they have breached the privilege of parliament, adding that the matter would be discussed with the prime minister. While, reviewing the audit paras of the of the States and Frontier Regions Ministry, FATA Additional Secretary Habibullah Khan said that the ministry had received $100 million aid annually from the United Nations for the welfare of Afghan Refugees.
He said that one million unregistered Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan and the UN had promised $610 million additional aid. He said that the federal cabinet had formed a four-member committee, including the interior minister, the defence minister, the law minister and the SAFFRON minister to review the matter and submit recommendations.
Committee member Noor Alam Khan said that the Afghan refugees were involved in terrorism and were taking advantage of the weak policies and most of them had Pakistani passports.
The States and Frontier Regions Ministry secretary told the committee that the ministry had given Rs 3 million to the family of a Levies official who lost his life in the line of duty.
Discussing the Wahga border parking fees collection, the committee directed its secretariat to seek report from the Interior Ministry.
Audit official told the committee that the Pakistan Rangers were colleting the parking fees.
To a question, the Heritage Ministry officials told the committee that Rs 98 million was spent on the construction of Pakistan Monument and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was responsible for its maintenance.
Over the absence of the Interior Ministry secretary, the committee expressed serious concern. The PAC chairman said most of the legislators, ministers have complained against the secretary.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk