Leader of opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said that PPP-led government was creating impediments in functioning of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is all set to take up its first year audit accounts. Nisar, who is also chairman PAC, was speaking at a seminar on presentation of "integrity shields" on accountability and performance of the PAC, organised by Transparency International (TI)-Pakistan.
The PAC members were also honoured with shields for their efforts and performance. Nisar said that it was happening for the first time in country's history that the PAC was taking up accounts of the sitting government but lamented that what he pointed out some impediments being created by the government in working of the PAC. Though, he also appreciated the government for extending support to PAC in compiling records of the ten years and recovering more than Rs 115 billion, however, pointed out that PAC directives on 22,000 Paras were yet to be implemented, adding he has no intention to turn the PAC into a battleground.
He made it clear that they would not allow the government to treat PAC, as it has done with Supreme Court and Ombudsman in the case of their judgements. The PAC was working above political motives and no one including military, he added, was above the law and the parliamentary body would made all the institutions accountable when utilising public funds.
"As for as the military is concerned, we have thoroughly reviewed the audit paras as it was a matter of taxpayers' money and we strongly believe that the military is not a state within state", he added. Nisar said that PAC had neither been politicised nor scandalised on any issue, adding that the parliamentary watchdog tried its level best to deal all the issues in a manner that would not embarrass the government and both President and Prime Minster were also aware of it.
He pointed out that the country was passing through a defining movement and he believed survival of the country lies in the rule of law, democracy and transparency. He said that working of public representatives in PAC was reflective of the fact that they have the urge for transparency contrary to the public image.
Nisar also appreciated TI Pakistan's watchdog role saying their input has resulted in identifying the wrongdoings of many public institutions. He declared that he would make a suggestion to PAC members in the next meeting to give TI Pakistan status of advisor to TI-P. PAC member and Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada of PML-Q while speaking called for corruption free society. He pointed out during the PAC proceedings it was imminent that most of the corruption was done in the foreign aids and grants.
He suggested that PAC should be converted into Public Accounts and Accountability Committee (PAAC) by giving the Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under its control to put all the controversies to rest. PAC member from PML-N Zahid Hamid appreciated the work done by former Auditor General of Pakistan, Tanvir Ali Agha and his staff who had the primary role in detecting and forming audit paras and bringing 10 years audit reports to the PAC.
PAC Member and MNA from FATA Noorul Haq Qadri commended the working of PAC especially its action to recover the public money from armed forces. Qadri said that under the leadership of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the PAC did a wonderful job. PPP MNA Yasmeen Rehman, who is also member of PAC said that the panel brought many government and non-governmental organisations in the ambits of accountability on the directives of the PAC.