Looking for solutions: PAC seeks NA help to audit court accounts
Asks lower house to avoid clash of institutions.
PAC Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal presented the report before the lower house with three recommendations. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID
ISLAMABAD:
After repeatedly failing to quiz the Supreme Court (SC) registrar and examine the apex court’s accounts, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman sought advice from the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday to resolve the issue amicably.
While both PAC and the SC have explanations for their respective actions in the matter, the former’s move comes as a measure of last resort in the form of a special report on the ‘Non-appearance of the Principal Accounting Officer of the SC’.
PAC Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal presented the report before the lower house with three recommendations, which include that all efforts be made to avoid confrontation between institutions and that the matter be resolved through further debate in the assembly.
“National Assembly may consider the feasibility of adopting all lawful methods to ensure compliance of all relevant provisions of law relating to the subject matter so that all pending appropriation accounts/audit reports relating to the Supreme Court of Pakistan may be examined in the presence of its Principal Accounting Officer,” the report added.
In the 63-page report, the committee submitted its correspondence with the concerned departments, the decision of the full court meeting of the SC, opinion of law ministry and the record of last meeting attended by the SC registrar in 2004. On December 16, 2004 the committee had examined SC accounts of 1995-96.
However, there was no discussion over the issue as desired by the committee.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghafoor Chaudhry presented a report of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privilege on questions raised by former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over what he termed ‘harassment’.
The committee observed that FIA Director Hussain Asghar, the investigation officer in the Hajj corruption case, “was biased because of his suspension and transfer from Islamabad by former prime minister Gilani.”
“The competent authority may be directed to take necessary disciplinary action in accordance with law against Hussain Asghar,” it recommended.
Walkouts
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walkout for the third time in a row in protest against the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan.
During the proceedings, JUI-F’s Asia Nasir maintained the decision reflected the failure of the government and urged it to use ‘democratic means’ to resolve the issues of the restive province.
“Resorting to imposition of governor rule would add fuel to the fire, as was done under the past regime of former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf.”
The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also staged a walkout from the house against the killings of Mian Taimur, the party’s deputy secretary in Sindh, and his father Mian Arbab in Karachi.
“There are killings every single day in Karachi and you [the government] are not capable to rule,” said PML-N’s Tahmina Daultana while announcing the party’s walkout.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.
After repeatedly failing to quiz the Supreme Court (SC) registrar and examine the apex court’s accounts, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman sought advice from the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday to resolve the issue amicably.
While both PAC and the SC have explanations for their respective actions in the matter, the former’s move comes as a measure of last resort in the form of a special report on the ‘Non-appearance of the Principal Accounting Officer of the SC’.
PAC Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal presented the report before the lower house with three recommendations, which include that all efforts be made to avoid confrontation between institutions and that the matter be resolved through further debate in the assembly.
“National Assembly may consider the feasibility of adopting all lawful methods to ensure compliance of all relevant provisions of law relating to the subject matter so that all pending appropriation accounts/audit reports relating to the Supreme Court of Pakistan may be examined in the presence of its Principal Accounting Officer,” the report added.
In the 63-page report, the committee submitted its correspondence with the concerned departments, the decision of the full court meeting of the SC, opinion of law ministry and the record of last meeting attended by the SC registrar in 2004. On December 16, 2004 the committee had examined SC accounts of 1995-96.
However, there was no discussion over the issue as desired by the committee.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghafoor Chaudhry presented a report of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privilege on questions raised by former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over what he termed ‘harassment’.
The committee observed that FIA Director Hussain Asghar, the investigation officer in the Hajj corruption case, “was biased because of his suspension and transfer from Islamabad by former prime minister Gilani.”
“The competent authority may be directed to take necessary disciplinary action in accordance with law against Hussain Asghar,” it recommended.
Walkouts
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walkout for the third time in a row in protest against the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan.
During the proceedings, JUI-F’s Asia Nasir maintained the decision reflected the failure of the government and urged it to use ‘democratic means’ to resolve the issues of the restive province.
“Resorting to imposition of governor rule would add fuel to the fire, as was done under the past regime of former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf.”
The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also staged a walkout from the house against the killings of Mian Taimur, the party’s deputy secretary in Sindh, and his father Mian Arbab in Karachi.
“There are killings every single day in Karachi and you [the government] are not capable to rule,” said PML-N’s Tahmina Daultana while announcing the party’s walkout.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.