ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee on Thursday shared its performance report in which it highlighted details of its actions besides taking notice of the use of helicopters and airplanes by 1,800 influential people.

The report showed that PAC examined tax evasion by tobacco companies, car manufacturers, steel industry and issued guidelines, besides taking notice of the sharp increase in prices and quality of vehicles, delay in deliveries and completion of a housing scheme for the overseas Pakistanis.

PAC also directed the secretary petroleum to lift a ban on gas connections, directed for freezing of bank accounts, blocking identity cards and placing names in exit control list (ECL) of those involved in the One Constitution scandal and directed the cabinet division to make details of Toshakhana public and identify those responsible for defrauding the national exchequer.

Besides asking for briefing from the Finance Ministry on the IMF deal, PAC also ordered NAB and FIA to investigate the $3 billion interest-free loan to 620 people and sought details of the Diamir Bhasha and Mohmand dams funds.

Held under chairmanship of MNA Noor Alam Khan, the PAC meeting reviewed audit objections for the year 2019-20 related to the cabinet division.

The meeting was informed that following PAC’s instructions, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Frequency Allocation Board, Ogra and Nepra had started conducting audits.

The committee directed the four institutions to provide complete records in the coming week.

Besides briefing by audit authorities on the issue of illegal recruitment against nine officers in PTA, the meeting decided not to consider audit objections related to Intelligence Bureau in absence of its director general.

“If there are audit objections of IB, the DG must be present,” the PAC chairman said.

The issue related to Islamabad Club was also came under discussion. PAC was informed that with the entry fee of new members, the facility was in profit of Rs475 million in June.

However, the meeting learnt that Islamabad Club’s operating losses were Rs32 million. The committee directed an inquiry into the loss-making issue of the club.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2023