ISLAMABAD - Expressing dismay over the delayed projects of National Highway Authority, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed for holding of inquiry and fixing responsibility into massive irregularities in granting of four contracts worth millions of rupees.
The committee also directed to write a letter to Planning Commission of Pakistan for reconsideration of PC-1 of Taxila-Hasan Abdal Highway construction project.
The committee met under the chairmanship of Syed Khurshid Shah who sought a detailed report on various suspended road projects in the country. The chairman expressed his dismay over the slow pace of work on various NHA projects across the country.
The committee chairman welcomed the new Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Rana Asad Ameen and hoped that the PAC will improve its performance with the experience and competency of new AGP. AGP Rana said efficient and honest officers will be promoted by introducing transparency and reforms into the department.
The audit officials revealed before the committee that during 2009-10 Motorway Police officers were paid illegal house rents which should be brought to justice.
The secretary communication requested the committee to send this matter to the departmental action committee (DAC) of the ministry. The chairman PAC ordered to stop the salaries of these officials until the matter is decided. He ordered to summon the former and present secretary finance in the next PAC meeting. NHA Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar said that the NHA was established under an act and executive board has the right to take decisions. However, he failed to satisfy the committee, which directed to give a briefing in the next meeting.
In meeting the audit objections (2009-2010) of the ministry of communication were also reviewed and discussed. The PAC summoned PCP in its next meeting.
Others who attended the meeting included its members Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Syed Naveed Qamar, Shafqat Mehmood, Sahibzada Nazeer Sultan, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Sheikh Rohale Asghar.