Most PA panels stuck at introductory stage

Majority of assembly panels face criticism for lack of progress, while home committee shines

KARACHI:

Of the 34 standing committees of the Sindh Assembly, only a select few have shown active engagement, while many others have struggled to move beyond initial meetings. The Standing Committee on Home has stood out as the most active, playing a crucial role in addressing issues related to drugs and criminal activities across the province, particularly in Karachi.

Following the February 2024 general elections, members were appointed to 34 committees, yet only 30 have been officially constituted. Four committees — those on Food, Population, Transport, and Local Government — remain pending.

The committees that have been formed cover a wide range of government departments, including Home, Industries, Works and Services, Cooperatives, Culture and Tourism, Education, Forest and Wildlife, Excise and Taxation, Finance, Livestock and Fisheries, Primary and Secondary Health, Information, Labour, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mines and Minerals, Auqaf and Zakat, General Administration, Sports, Energy, and Women Development.

Each committee has elected its own chairperson. Official records reveal that 20 out of the 30 committees are chaired by members of the ruling PPP, eight by opposition lawmakers from the MQM-Pakistan, and two by MPAs of the PTI.

The committees hold significant power under the assembly's rules, allowing them to review bills referred by the house, propose amendments, and scrutinise the administrative and financial affairs of the relevant departments. Moreover, they are authorised to issue recommendations, with departments obligated to respond within a two-week timeframe.

Among the most active of these committees is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by MPA Nisar Khuhro. The PAC has garnered attention for its proactive stance on matters concerning financial accountability. However, its recent directives have stirred controversy regarding its jurisdiction.

Although the PAC is legally empowered to examine the financial affairs of provincial departments and review audit reports, some of its recent interventions have raised eyebrows.

One such incident involved the PAC instructing Karachi University to revise its admission policy, a move that has sparked debate over whether the committee overstepped its bounds.

MQM's Deputy Parliamentary Leader Taha Ahmed Khan, who is also a member of the PAC, questioned the committee's authority to issue directives on policy matters. Khan pointed out that he was not present at the meeting where the objection to the university's policy was raised, further questioning the legitimacy of the PAC's involvement in such matters.

In response, Sindh Assembly's Special Secretary Muhammad Khan Rind defended the PAC's actions, arguing that under the assembly's rules, the committee is indeed authorised to issue directives on policy issues related to the departments it oversees. On this basis, the PAC directed Karachi University to review its admission policy, with the formal directive to be sent to the Sindh Higher Education Commission for further action.

The assembly's rules clearly outline that the PAC is tasked with reviewing appropriation accounts, auditor general's reports, and ensuring that expenditures are in compliance with legal frameworks.

The committee is also mandated to investigate cases where departmental spending exceeds approved allocations and recommend corrective measures. However, questions continue to be raised about the scope of its authority and whether its recent actions may signal an overreach into administrative and policy-related matters.