ISLAMABAD - The Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday showed concern over the shortage of staff in the attached departments of the Ministry of Finance, saying it affects the performance of these departments.
The committee, which met with Senator Saleem Mandviwalla in the chair, discussed budgetary allocations for the Ministry of Finance and its allied departments as well as the utilisation of these allocations.
The Additional Auditor General (AAG) of Pakistan informed the committee that AGP had only 3,707 employees, which had left the department understaffed.
He further informed that more people could not be inducted in the department due to a ban imposed on recruitments.
The committee chairman, while showing concern over the situation, asked the government to start hiring more staff to improve performance of the department.
The AAG further said that 8,249 audits had been conducted during the ongoing financial year.
He informed that the audit of National Bank of Pakistan could not be conducted, as the bank got a stay from the court.
“Similarly, around 20 institutions do not allow the audit,” he informed.
Giving details of the department’s budget, he said it received Rs 3,803 million during the ongoing financial year against the demand of Rs 3,895 million.
“As many as 73 percent of the overall budget is spent on salaries and pension, while the remaining 27 percent goes to other heads,” he elaborated.
The Senate’s body also directed the AGP to conduct the audit of Pakistan Cricket Board of the past five years.
The committee also discussed the budget affairs of Pakistan Mint.
The officials informed the department had received Rs 252 million, out of Rs 507 million, during the current fiscal year.
Secretary Finance Waqar Masood said important meeting would be held during the current week to consider importing new machinery for Pakistan Mint.
The committee recommended to the government to appoint economic ministers in Germany and the European Union.
Mandviwalla said that standing committees of the upper house were discussing the budget affairs of relevant ministries for the first time. “The committees would present their reports to the Senate for discussion,” he added.
The committee also discussed the budgets of Controller General of Pakistan, Accountant General of Pakistan and Central Directorates of National Savings.