ISLAMABAD: Audit officials informed the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) that there are at least 12 government offices refused to give them access to their records / accounts for audit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the documents, field audit office informed the AGP that following provincial government departments are refusing them to hold audit.

These are Elementary and Secondary Education Department in Peshawar, Abbottabad and Swat on the ground that their accounts are audited by local fund audit. The audit officers are of the view that following the proclamation of BESE Bill 2018, all boards of intermediate and secondary education are included in audit plan 2019-20.

Health Regulatory Authority KP also refused to produce their records by stating that it is an autonomous body and its audit is conducted by CAs. The P&D Department also refused to give access to the accounts of project 'Refugee Affected and Hosting Area Programme' and 'Strengthening of Poverty Reduction Strategy Monitoring Project' on the ground that only the auditor of UNDP has the right to access to the relevant records of NGO.

The P&D Department also refused to give access to the audit officers to the accounts of 'Sub National Governance Programme 2016-17 in KP.' In energy sector, KP OGDCL stated that it is public limited company registered with SECP. The company has already conducted its audit by KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co KP OGDCL also stated that according to the AGP Ordinance, AGP has no right of access to their books of accounts.

Elementary and Secondary Education Department refused to produce record by stating that "Parent Teacher Council" expenditures are exempt from the audit. District Director Livestock and Dairy Development, Bannu, District Director Agriculture Lakki Marwat, District Education Officer, Male Tank also refused to produce the record.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020