QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee of the Balochistan Assembly, while discussing financial affairs of the local government and local council, expressed its anger over non-installation of street lights in the Sariab area and directed a committee comprising members of PAC, local government and Auditor General of Balochistan to submit a report in this regard within 14 days.

The PAC meeting, presided over by chairman Asghar Tareen on Tuesday, observed that despite instructions, the local government has not installed street lights in the Sariab area.

“If street lights are not installed, the relevant assistant director and other officials will face consequences,” the chairman of the committee warned.

The PAC reviewed accounts and funds allocated for the financial year 2021-22 and discussed various audit issues relating to local councils and local governments.

The chairman and members of the committee stressed the need for protecting public funds.

The committee directed the department to present a comprehensive report on the non-development budget amounting to Rs6,852.03 million within 15 days.

The chairman urged all provincial departments to establish a cell for compliance of PAC directives and stressed that any department cannot be exempted from accountability due to an officer’s retirement.

“If an officer retires on time, the department remains responsible for completing its tasks, but the local government officials have shown irresponsibility in this regard, which is a violation,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024