NAB chairman’s absence irks PAC panel

PAC panel turns down NAB request to settle grant until Javed Iqbal appears in person

ISLAMABAD: Public Accounts Committee (PAC)’s sub-committee convener Noor Alam Khan on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the absence of state apparatus from the meeting.

The committee was about to review the grants of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and reservations over audit of the Prime Minister Office.

Turning down the request of NAB chief financial officer (CFO) to settle the grant, the convener said he would not discuss the reports until the principal accounting officer (PAO) – which is NAB chairman – would not appear before the committee in person.

“It is PAO’s work not of CFO,” said Khan, asking that why NAB chairman did not appear before the panel since he was summoned.

The convener added: “No one is above the law. We question the cases, which we sent to you.”

Over the absence of the principal secretary to the premier from the meeting, the PM Office additional secretary informed the committee that an intimation letter was not received due to which he (principal secretary) could not attend it.

Later, the convener postponed the meeting and asked the quarters concerned to ensure relevant officers presence in the next meeting.