Senate Body seeks proper qualification a criteria for AGP appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Narcotics Division Wednesday sought that there should be some educational qualification criteria for the appointment of Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP).

The committee, which met here under the chairmanship of Senator, Saleem Mandviwalla, asked the AGP office to send its recommendations, within a shortest possible time, on the educational qualification requirements for the appointment of AGP.

Considering the bill to amend the Auditor-General’s (Functions, Powers and Terms and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2001{The Auditor –General’s (Functions, Powers and Terms and Conditions of Services)(Amendment) bill 2017}, the committee strongly opined that there should be some basic educational criteria for the appointment of the AGP.

Earlier, the AGP representatives informed the committee that by the Constitution of Pakistan, it was prerogative of the President of Pakistan to make appointments from among the generalists.

The committee approved all other amendments; however deferred the decision to accept the bill in whole until the AGP office sends its recommendations on the qualification of the AGP.

The Committee also expressed displeasure over the delay by Petroleum Division for the settlement of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) with the CNG Sector as recommended by the committee in its meeting on July 27.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Narcotics Control and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in their detailed presentations briefed the committee on their role, mandate, functions and the operations conducted across the country so far for controlling drug trafficking.

The representatives of the ministry informed the committee that currently Pakistan was having Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with 32 countries and was signatory to all UN or other conventions against illicit drug trafficking.

The committee was informed that currently there were about thirty two agencies working in the country in different domains for drug control. It was also informed that Pakistan was poppy-free state, where the crop production was quite below the approved limit.

The committee was briefed that the ministry was facing many challenges in its efforts against narcotics adding that country has 2400 kilometers border with Afghanistan, which produces 90% of world’s opiates.

The committee was informed that the ministry had initiated many awareness campaigns, particularly targeting the youth and students to check use of drugs and their trafficking.

The representative informed the committee that it had conducted many raids on educational institutions to nab drug traffickers and check trafficking of drugs around such institutions.