Procurement of 33 bullet proof vehicles by PM's Office: PAC body settles audit objection

Sub-Committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday silently settled an audit objection over procurement of 33 bullet proof vehicles by Prime Minister Office in 2008 against the policy and rules of Cabinet Division on the recommendation of audit officials. The audit officials recommended to the Sub-Committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to settle the audit objection without verification of records being asked in Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) held in August 2016. The committee examined the audit accounts of the Cabinet Division for year 2009-10.
DAC had pointed out that provision of managing bullet proof cars has not been provided in Staff Car Rules, 1980. Audit itself contended that six bullet proof vehicles had been in use of non-government functionaries. Audit also observed that Prime Minister Office returned 33 bullet proof vehicles to Cabinet Division on May 26, 2008 but these vehicles were not physically handed over to the Cabinet Division. On Monday, the committee convened by Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang settled the case on the recommendation of audit officials without further probe. In the last meeting held in August 2016, the Secretary Cabinet Division had been directed to provide both the letter as well as the list of the vehicles allotted to Prime Minister Office to audit for verification.
The audit objection was raised in January 2010. Audit Report held that an appropriate policy should be framed and implemented to avert such instances. Audit desired that approval of Prime Minister regarding allocation of vehicles to various dignitaries may be shown to them.
Cabinet Division framed Staff Car Rules 1980 under Rules of Business 1973 and has amended these rules from time to time to govern the use of staff cars. However, rules for managing bullet proof cars don't exist. In the absence of such rules, the allotment and use of such vehicles was open to misuse at public expense. The committee was informed that Printing Corporation of Pakistan Limited has been facing financial losses since its inception. Audit officials also raised serious objections over the performance, restructuring and business plans of the corporation.
Secretary Cabinet Division Nadeem Hassan Asif said since its inception it has been running in losses due to certain reasons. He said even the management did not have finance to pay gratuity to its employees. "Meetings are being held with Ministry of Finance and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for a bailout package for the corporation," he informed the committee.
While examining the audit accounts of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for year 2009-10, it has been learnt that PTA Headquarters paid an amount of Rs 5.4 million on account of honoraria to grade 19 and above officers during 2008-09 in violation of Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) decision on June 22, 1995. The honorarium is admissible up to the level of section officers and equivalent.