Expressing dissatisfaction over poor performance of Universal Service Fund (USF) in providing telecommunication services countrywide and increasing teledensity, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Wednesday sought a detailed briefing on January 12, 2017.
The committee met in the chairmanship of Syed Naveed Qamar and examined the performance report of telecommunication sector for the year 2013-14. The secretary Information Technology (IT) contended that the performance audit of USF was not completed on certain parameters required for special audit. However, the secretary failed to satisfy how many areas are covered under the USF.
Audit officials said that major deviation in observance of rules and regulation was observed in the report due to which the interests of the government and USF Company were not safeguarded. Monitoring aspect was totally ignored by the Company which had given the service provider a freehand in maintaining the services in the USF areas.
The company missed the set target to achieve the 85 per cent teledensity in the rural areas up to 2010. However, the secretary IT said that the target would be achieved till 2018. Another official Asif Kamal claimed that population of 72 per cent had access to broadband and mobile services, but he failed to tell the total coverage in remote areas.
Naveed Qamar observed that a huge fund was spent, but no telecom coverage was extended to un-served areas. The committee also directed to submit a report in 45 days regarding turning Telephone Industries of Pakistan's colony at Haripur illegally into a private colony. The electricity and natural gas are being used by the occupants. The Telephone Industries of Pakistan's management failed to recover the outstanding dues on account of electricity, gas and colony board's share of Rs 53 million during 2012-13.
Audit officials said that the industry was closed and board was disbanded. However, the management of Telephone Industries of Pakistan's is negotiating on transfer of assets owned by other government organisations but is not deliberating on liabilities. While examining National Telecommunication Authority's (NTC) expenditure of Rs 344.7 million on the project of optical fibre based transmission link between Kety Bandar/ Port Qasim to Jiwani, the committee observed that multiple inquires were held but no outcome was recorded.
The audit pointed out the expenditure had not been capitalised as the project was completed in June 2006, but the revised PC-I and PC IV have still not been approved. In his ruling, Naveed Qamar said various inquiries were held on wastage of public funds but no action was taken against any accused. He directed to come up with a complete report on wasteful expenditure in one month period. The committee deferred discussions on audit accounts of Cabinet Division as secretary cabinet did not appear before the committee.