Sindh PAC to suspend officers involved in irregularities

KARACHI: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday recommended all departments to suspend officers involved in irregularities.

The PAC, in its meeting held at the committee room of the Sindh Assembly, directed the staff to issue letters in this regard to all the departments of the Sindh government.

PAC met to review audit paras of the population welfare department.

Chairman PAC Sardar Jam Tamachi chaired the meeting while only two members Ghulam Mujadid Isran and Ms. Shama Mithani attended out of a total of six members.

Director General Audit Najam-ul-Saqib Siddiqui with his assisting team and Secretary Population Welfare Rizwan Memon along with his assisting staff were present.

DG Audit read the paras one by one of 2006-7, 2007-08 and 2008-09, regarding non–accounted store articles of Rs6.057 million, non-production of record Rs3.203 million, irregular payments to unconcerned payees Rs4.587 million, non-accounting of articles Rs12.516 million and irregular payments without supporting vouchers Rs2.786 million.

These paras were discussed in the PAC meeting a few months ago and were deferred for verification but the concerned department did not verify them.

Explaining the reasons, Secretary Population Welfare Rizwan Memon said that they issued explanations to the involved officers, many on deputation.

He requested the PAC for issuing directions regarding suspension of officers involved in corrupt practices and not producing the record to the audit team.

Chairman PAC directed the staff for issuing letters to all departments recommending suspension of those officers involved in irregularities.

Sardar Jam Tamachi Unarr also directed to issue letter of recommendation to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah to increase the population department budget.

He also directed to send a letter to owners of private TV channels for airing advertisements regarding population issue free of cost, as population is a very sensitive issue and everyone should work together as volunteers in this regard.