The PAC was supposed to discuss irregularities in the Sukkur DC's finances. PHOTO: EXPRESS
On Thursday, the meeting was convened to discuss the audit paras of the office of the Sukkur deputy commissioner. As the meeting started, PAC chairperson Saleem Raza Jalbani questioned the absence of the relevant officials, including the local government secretary and his subordinates. "This amount was spent in 2011-12 through the DC office by officials of the local government, works and services and other departments. But they have not bothered to attend the meeting."
The deputy commissioner, Shahzad Fazal Abbasi, who showed the record, said: "I have brought the record to show how this amount was utilised at that time. We are ready to justify the expenditure," he said.
Audit department director-general Ghulam Akbar Sohu claimed the DC's office had made the record on their own and had not verified it from the audit department. "How can we believe your justification when you have not verified it from the relevant authorities," questioned the PAC chairperson, adding that billions of rupees were allocated by the government for development works, but the bureaucrats spent the money for their own vested interests.
"No one is willing to attend the PAC meeting that can hold them accountable. Despite repeated letters, these officers fail to show up and justify the irregularities. We should abandon the PAC and give up this practice because they are not taking our warnings seriously," said Jalbani, directing his staff to write a letter to the chief minister and chief secretary to express strong concerns on their part regarding the lethargic attitude of the bureaucrats.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2015.
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