Vacant PAC chair

The PAC chairman’s vacancy raises concerns over Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and government accountability.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman's post has been lying vacant since the new coalition government came to power in February 2024. As per parliamentary and democratic tradition, the office of PAC chairman goes to the leader of the opposition, or whoever the opposition nominates for the post. However, there is no legal compulsion in this regard. Earlier, the PTI had nominated one of its leaders, Sher Afzal Marwat, as a candidate for the PAC's chairmanship, but later replaced his name with another leader, the current party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram. For almost 10 months now, the post has been vacant, forcing the National Assembly speaker to give the government and opposition one week to resolve the matter. The vacant chair raises concerns about the country's commitment to accountability and transparency in governance.

The PAC is a cornerstone of parliamentary oversight in Pakistan. Its primary function is to scrutinise government expenditures, review the financial statements of public institutions, and ensure that taxpayer money is not misappropriated or misused. The chairman of this committee is crucial in steering these functions, ensuring that the committee operates impartially, and making certain that no government department or official is above scrutiny. This vacuum not only undermines the checks and balances necessary for good governance but also creates an environment where corruption can go unchecked. The absence of a PAC chairman also raises questions about the political will to address governance challenges. At a time when Pakistan faces numerous economic and social challenges, including fiscal deficits and public sector inefficiencies, the lack of an active and functioning PAC is a matter of concern. The longer this vacancy remains unfilled, the greater the erosion of trust in the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.