Message from Chairman

To strengthen the Parliamentary Democracy, we are to build trust in democratic institutions for a truly inclusive, representative and transparent Parliament which would definitely be effective in enforcing the accountability of the Government to protect the interest of the people of Pakistan. Besides other functions, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is also empowered to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by the Assembly; annual finance accounts; and report of the Auditor-General of Pakistan. It is the only Committee continuity of the proceedings whereof are protected under the Rules.

The incumbent Committee has made untiring efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity of the PAC with sincere support of the Honourable Speaker to streamline the working of the PAC. The incumbent Chairman of the PAC as well as the Honourable Speaker, are committed to ensure that the moneys shown in the accounts as having been disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to the service or purpose to which they have been applied or charged, that the expenditure conforms to the authority which governs it; and that every re-appropriation has been made in accordance with the provisions made in this behalf under rules framed by the Finance Division.

In an historic decision of the PAC, after hearing all the concerned, the audit jurisdiction of the AGP has been reiterated to examine the statement of accounts showing the income and expenditure of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, the audit of which may be conducted by the AGP either under the directions of the President or under an Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

15th PAC has appointed several Sub-Committees to clear the backlog of 8 years Audit Reports including implementation upon its previous Directives issued during the last 25 years contained in its Reports. The pending business has been distributed amongst the main PAC and its 8 Sub- Committees. 503 meetings have so far been held from December, 2018 to December, 2022 and recovered an amount of Rs. 828,991.95 (Million) for which all members of the Main Committee and Sub-Committees deserve special appreciations for their inputs. Similarly, the PAC Secretariat has also been rendering valuable secretarial support in coordination with the AGP and his team vigorously assisted the PAC by augmenting the quality of Briefs as per Directions of the Honourable Speaker; and in regularizing meetings of the DACs and improving the performance of Compliance Cells established in the Field Audit Offices throughout Pakistan.

I was elected as Chairman, PAC on the 23rd May, 2022. I have constituted 7 Sub-Committees of the PAC for examining left over Appropriation Accounts for the years 2016-17 & 2017-18 and Audit Reports for the years 2017-18 & 2018-19. The meetings of these Sub-Committees are being held regularly.

We will continue to endeavor for effective Parliamentary Oversight through best utilization of the available resources; simplifying results through recoveries, ensuring accountability of all the concerned through time bound initiatives; and by introducing favorable culture that encourages performance at all levels.

Recently, the PAC has decided in a meeting held on 7th June, 2022 that accountability should be held and audit be conducted across the board in a transparent manner of all the public funds and of each department including NAB as no individual/department is above the law.

Noor Alam Khan,
Chairman