PAC chairmanship: Shahbaz's resignation accepted

The speaker National Assembly (NA) has approved the resignation of President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said a notification issued from NA Secretariat on Wednesday.

The notification further said the speaker NA Asad Qaiser approved Shahbaz's resignation and that it was effective from November 20. Sources said that the PML-N president stepped down owing to personal engagements. To elect the new chairman of the body, the PAC session has been called for 28 November, 2019, wherein the members will elect the new chairman. As per traditions, the slot is given to the leader of the opposition or any member nominated by the opposition parties in the Parliament.

Sources further indicated that the PML-N's Rana Tanveer is likely to be nominated as the PAC chairperson in place of Shahbaz. Shahbaz Sharif is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly; otherwise, the slot may be given to any other opposition politician and member of the NA.

Shahbaz's nomination was unanimously supported after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power. While the government on October 29, 2018, had rejected the PML-N president's name, the matter dragged on for a couple months before the government gave in and approved Shahbaz as the PAC chairperson. He had taken up the position on December 21, 2018.

The PAC primarily oversees the public expenditure and in case of a suspicion of malpractice or corruption, the committee has the authority to investigate the matter and refer the issue to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Meanwhile, briefing a subcommittee of the PAC, Federal Secretary for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shoaib Siddiqui said the government has failed to complete the e-governance project started in 2006 due to lack of resources.

Responding to the query of member of the committee Riaz Fatyana, the secretary responded that the work on the project is underway but at a snail's pace primarily because of insufficient funding from the government for the project.

Riaz Fatyana inquired from the secretary as to why Pakistan is lagging behind in shifting on e-governance whereas the world has gone too far in the field.

Earlier, the audit officials presenting an audit report informed the committee that National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) constructed a guesthouse in Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) without the approval of the board and PC-1.

The officials of NTC responded to the committee that the guesthouse was constructed to facilitate the staff of repair and maintenance; however, after shutting down of the NTC office in DG Khan, the guesthouse was rented out to recover the amount of construction.

The committee, however, observed that construction without approval of the board and PC-1 of the project is sheer violation of the rules; therefore, an appropriate action must be taken against those responsible in light of the inquiry committee.

The committee was also informed by the audit officials that Pakistan Software Export Board illegally appointed director marketing.

In the advertisement, the qualification for the post was master in business administration (MBA) but contrary to this, a bachelor degree holder was appointed in 2006 for a period of one year.

The audit official apprised the committee that director marketing was drawing monthly salary of Rs 1.1 million along with other perks and privileges.

The secretary IT told the committee that an inquiry was conducted on this matter and former managing director (MD) of Pakistan Software Export Board was held responsible.

The committee directed to act in accordance with the findings of inquiry committee against those responsible.