PAC orders probe into vehicle fraud

Committee seeks report of appointments in FPSC during part 15 years

ISLAMABAD:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) took significant steps on Monday, referring crucial matters for investigation and rectification. Chaired by Noor Alam Khan at the Parliament House, the committee initiated action against automobile companies that failed to provide vehicles to buyers despite receiving payment. In a move to address this issue, the PAC handed the matter over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation.

Committee member Salim Mandviwala presented a sub-committee's report concerning automobile companies. The report unveiled a disconcerting trend where companies collected funds from customers but failed to fulfill their end of the bargain by delivering the purchased vehicles. Moreover, even after full payment was made, some companies demanded additional sums, with no corresponding vehicle delivery.

To address these concerns, the committee not only directed for the refund of excess payments to customers but also elevated the issue to the FIA's purview, particularly if the Engineering Development Board (EDB) proved ineffective in resolving the matter. Noor Alam Khan expressed astonishment at the scale of these transactions, highlighting instances where even after receiving full payment, additional amounts as high as Rs40 million were demanded.

In a noteworthy move, the PAC expanded the scope of the investigation to include the auditor general of Pakistan, representatives from the EDB, and the ministries of industry and trade.

Furthermore, the committee scrutinized the FPSC's audit report for 2020-21. During this evaluation, an appointment anomaly from 2008, where a director was appointed in violation of regulations, was brought to light. The committee took decisive action, referring the matter to the FIA and issuing a directive for the removal of the Director General (DG) of FPSC from the position. Additionally, the PAC called for a comprehensive audit of FPSC's appointments over the past 15 years, ensuring transparency and accountability.

These developments underscore PAC's commitment to addressing issues of public interest and ensuring effective governance across various sectors.