Aurangzeb for ensuring transparency in finances

Urges account officers to comply with audit recommendations

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday visited the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) where he expressed appreciation for the work being done by the supreme audit institution of the country.

He stressed the importance of reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in government finances.

The finance minister took keen interest in the professional work being done by the public audit department and emphasised the importance of reforms in the Department Accounts Committee by encouraging principal account officers to comply with audit recommendations for the promotion of transparency and good governance.

AGP director general (policy) gave a presentation on the functioning of the department, covering its mandate and scope, interaction with different stakeholders, internal governance and integrity mechanism and the impact of audit on strengthening internal controls, stabilising economy and benefitting citizens.

The minister was apprised of the audit reports, which were professionally written and contained recommendations. They are based on independently and apolitically executed audit programmes to assist parliament and provincial legislatures in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.

To make auditing a collaborative exercise, all principal account officers, CSOs and even the general public are approached for their input for next year's audit plans.

The finance minister was also apprised of the challenges being faced by the audit department in managing multiple tasks as enshrined in the constitution. He acknowledged the need for revising the AGP Act in the backdrop of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, decisions of the Supreme Court and international best practices.

He assured his support for establishing offices of the DG Receipts Audit at the provincial level to fulfill the constitutional obligation.