Sherry plans to stop supplementary grants for ministries

PAC sub-committee convener reviews audit report of CAA

ISLAMABAD: Convener of a Public Accounts Committee sub-panel, Sherry Rehman, on Thursday hinted at bringing a bill in parliament to stop awarding supplementary grants to the federal ministries.

This came, while the sub-committee was reviewing the audit report of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

“The trend of supplementary grants in ministries should end,” said Rehman who is about to propose a legislative bill in the Senate. “I hope the National Assembly members will support this legislation”.

The convener said that the economic performance and the discipline of institutions are not appropriate, it seems like “a battle of Ghadr”.

The committee ordered an investigation into allegations that “favourites” were sent for professional education and training at the expense of the meteorological department. As many as 50 new meteorologists were appointed in the department in 2015-16 and around Rs180.31 million were spent on their education and training overseas.

It was highlighted that instead of sending newly-appointment officers for training, the department sent the permanent employees.

The audit officials informed the committee that cargo airplanes of US Air Force, National Atlantic Treaty Organisation, coalition forces, and other foreign missions used Pakistani airports without paying any dues to the CAA. The PIA owed Rs6 billion to the CAA on that account, while Rs450 million to be recovered collectively. According to audit authorities, international airlines and NATO owed Rs1 billion to the CAA.

The CAA officials could not satisfy the committee when asked as to why charges on account of airports’ utilisation were not being paid to the authority. The committee decided to seek the viewpoint of Foreign Service on the matter.

The secretary told the committee that the federal cabinet was working to make the PIA a profit earning organisation therefore, it had deferred the payment of Rs96 billion to the CAA, which the PIA would pay on becoming a profitable airline.