ISLAMABAD - The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed the Auditor General of Pakistan to conduct forensic audit of the National Assembly and Senate secretariats.
A meeting of the PAC was held under the chair of MNA Noor Alam Khan in the Parliament House to examine the appropriation of accounts of the National Assembly and Senate secretariats for the year 2018-19.
During the meeting matter related to the recent visit of Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf to Canada also came under discussion.
Secretary National Assembly clarified that in the said visit, there were only two MNAs including NA Speaker and three officials. He said out of these three, the expenses of two officials were borne by the sponsors.
After getting an explanation, PAC showed displeasure regarding a baseless news item published in a section of the press regarding the said visit to Canada.
The Chairman PAC however directed the Auditor General of Pakistan to conduct a forensic audit of the National Assembly Secretariat of the last one year regarding appointments, promotions and foreign visits made by MNAs and officers/officials of the National Assembly.
It was also directed to the auditors to conduct audits regarding honorarium paid to the employees of the National Assembly and Senate secretariats, Finance Division and Federal Board of Revenue.
Meanwhile, the committee also expressed its displeasure over a letter written by the Senate Secretariat to the PAC regarding removal of glass walls established in the corridor in front of the office of the Chairman Senate.
The committee members said the letter was to undermine the authority of the PAC to issue such directives. PAC observed that the committee has the representation of the both houses therefore; the committee reiterated its earlier directive and directed the secretary Senate to remove the glass walls established in the corridors in front of the office of the Chairman Senate.
The PAC also directed the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to stop the use of the name of National Assembly and Senate by the managements of the National Assembly and Senate Secretariat’s employees cooperative societies.
The committee directed the secretaries of the Senate and National Assembly secretariats to cancel NOC issued in favour of these cooperative housing societies pertaining to use the name of both the houses.
Moreover, a briefing was given by the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad on National Assembly and Senate Secretariat employees cooperative housing societies.
The Committee after in-depth discussion recommended the Deputy Commissioner to ensure the right of the registered members and also ensure transparency in the affairs of the societies;