Non-observation of Pepra rules by autonomous bodies: PAC expresses concerns

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed dismay over reluctance from public sector autonomous and semi-autonomous organisations to observe Pepra rules in purchase and use of public funds. The PAC also expressed concerns over the tendency of refusal by autonomous bodies to be audited by Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP).
The PAC which met in Parliament House with Riaz Hussain Pirzada in the chair directed all the public sector organisations to ensure implementation of Pepra rules and audit by Auditor General of Pakistan. The PAC reviewed the audit objections about the financial management's of various ministries including States and Frontier Regions, Livestock and Diary Development, Interior and others as well as their subsidiary departments.
Members including Malik Pervaiz, Nadeem Afzal Gondal, Asyia Nasir, Yasmeen Rehman, Deputy Secretary Rumana Kakar and high officials of relevant ministries were present in the meeting which asked the relevant ministries to strictly observe the prescribed rules and regulations while spending public money.
Auditors pointed out that Rs 5, 202, 000 were released to District Magistrate in 1992 for disbursement to Afghan Refugees in Peshawar but receipts or record was not produced so expenditures could not be verified. They further pointed out that after several years' exercise subsidiary organisations of Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) provided the record, so committee referred para for settlement after proper verification and satisfaction of audit.
At a meeting of another sub-committee of PAC chaired by Yasmeen Rehman legal status of establishment of NGO Rural Support Programme (RSP) Network on which 1, 696.4 millions from public money had been spent. Chairman RSP Shoaib Sultan, former Cabinet Secretary Ejaz Rahim, Shafqat Naghmi and other high level officials made their forceful elaboration's before the committee on the procedure followed by the government in the establishment of RSP network in 2005.
However, Auditors pointed out that idea of RSP and NRSP was materialised without approval of PC-I by the concerned quarters as well as existing rules and regulations were relaxed in this issue and committee endorsed the stand of auditors.
Auditors were also of the viewpoint that totally public money was involved in the running and functioning of the network but they claim to be private entities and refused to provide record for audit. Members were critical that RSP network had been formed to adjust retired bureaucrats on public expenses, which was not a healthy practice. They also observed that no change had been brought about despite expenditures of millions of rupees in rural areas despite high claims about gigantic achievements made by RSP network. Committee referred the issue to be discuss at DAC level and then convene another meeting to hear the both sides.