Finance minister inaugurates govt data analytics centre at AGP

Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday inaugurated the Centre for Government Data Analytics at the Auditor-General of Pakistan (AGP), underscoring the need to adopt modern data analysis technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence-based auditing and automated analytical tools, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the AGP headquarters, the minister called for digital access to public sector databases to enhance audit coverage, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. He welcomed the establishment of the centre, saying it would strengthen oversight amid the growing digitalization of government operations.

Auditor-General of Pakistan Maqbool Ahmad Gondal said the audit framework was shifting from quantity to quality, with greater emphasis on entity- and project-based reporting. He said audit was increasingly being used as a governance tool, supported by digital reforms including the Audit Management Information System (AMIS) and the newly established data analytics centre.

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Gondal added that the centre aligns with the prime minister’s vision for a digital economy and would leverage expanding digital data as the government moves toward a cashless system.

Controller General of Accounts Umar Ali Khan briefed the minister on reforms in public financial management, including the rollout of cashless payments, the Raast system, online billing, migration to SAP HANA and centralized server infrastructure. He said the transition toward accrual-based accounting in line with international standards was underway with World Bank support.

Both the finance ministry and audit institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued reforms, digitalization and improved financial transparency to ensure efficient use of public resources.