LAHORE: The Punjab government said on Wednesday that the record of 56 public sector companies had been submitted to the auditor general of Pakistan for audit.

“These companies were established for better delivery of services and are working according to book. The National Accountability Bureau has legal right to start investigation against any major financial transaction but it does not mean that any irregularity is proved,” Punjab government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmad told a news conference here.

He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif wanted transparency in all government departments, including public sector companies, and “no irregularity will be tolerated in this regard”.

The NAB has initiated investigation into the alleged irregularities, recruitment in violation of procurement rules and merit, nepotism, non-completion of various projects on time, lack of performance and regular audit and non-transparent procedure for tendering in these firms which come under direct supervision of Shahbaz Sharif.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017