PPP 'demands' chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee

Mandviwala urges Speaker to convene meeting of PAC members, citing submission of requisition by 11 members in letter

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has requested the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) through a letter sent by PPP Senator, Salim Mandviwala, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, Express News reported.

In the letter, Mandviwala urged the Speaker to convene a meeting of the PAC members, citing the submission of a requisition by 11 members of the committee.

He also stated that if the Speaker does not call a meeting, the PPP would take the initiative to do so.

Mandviwala further requested that, until a permanent chairman is elected, the committee members should select their own chairman through an election process.

Sources indicated that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has requested a panel of names from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the position of PAC chairman. PTI is insisting on nominating Sheikh Waqas Akram for the role.

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has also reportedly met with Speaker Sadiq to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has indicated support for PPP's demand for the PAC chairmanship.

Previously, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) officially put forth Sheikh Waqas Akram as its nominee for the chairmanship of the National Assembly's PAC.

The previous nomination had put an end to a tug-of-war that had been brewing within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Initially, the party had put its weight behind Sher Afzal Marwat for the position. However, Marwat's vocal opposition to the party leadership escalated tensions.

Since the formation of the government in March, the PAC has yet to elect a chairman.