ISLAMABAD, July 28: The Special Committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Cabinet Division to inform the current status of 18 references filed by former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan during his tenure against 18 members of national assemblies of that time including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The PAC meeting which was held here on Friday, Chairman, Riaz Fatyana in a chair also participated by members of committee, Col (retd), Ghulam Rasool Sahi, Deputy Auditor General, Secretary Cabinet Division, Ijaz Raheem and high officials of Finance Ministry, Interior Ministry and Defence Ministry.

The Auditor General has informed the meeting that during 1990-91 and 1991-92, the Accountability Cell under the Cabinet Division has provided Rs28 million illegally to Legal Advisors and Senior Councils and no consultation was made with the Ministry of Justice and Law but with the approval of Attorney General which is the violation of rules and regulations as Attorney General has no authority, he added.

Secretary Cabinet Division, Ijaz Raheem informed the PAC that former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan had filed references in special courts against the then Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto and 17 MNAs. He said that these references had been filed in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta, adding that the Attorney General was Chief Law Officer of that time and he on the directives of President has appointed Legal Advisors and Lawyers for following the cases.

Ijaz Raheem commented that the amount was given to Legal Advisors and Lawyers according to the circumstances at that time but adding that no irregularities were observed in the process. He added in 1994 Cabinet Division of that time has settled the issue and demanding to make that matter regular.

The PAC chairman Riaz Fatyana on this inquired the status of these 18 references against Benazir Bhutto and other NA members whether these cases have been withdrawn or still pending.

PAC also criticized the performance of Federal Land Commission and expressed its annoyance that hundred of people could not get the payment of their lands under the land reforms in 1964, 1972 and 1977.—Online