PACs report

THE President, Prime Minister and bureaucrats incurred strong disapproval of the Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the National Assembly on Wednesday. He pointed out angrily that they were getting the house rent allowance while living in official residences. They were entitled to just one of the two. According to rules, if an official lives in a government residence, a certain percentage of his or her salary is deducted as rent. There is no question of giving him the house rent allowance. And that is the general practice. So the case of the President and the Prime Minister and certain officials taking both the facilities deserves strong condemnation. Besides this, their luxurious housing facilities reflect poorly on their commitment to austerity and show that they consider themselves to be above the law. The Public Accounts Committees recommendation must be immediately followed, the waste of public money stopped and recoveries made. This provides a classic example of the abuse of authority. Those in powerful positions in the government normally feel no qualms in disregarding the law. If the leaders and high officials are misusing their powers and wrongly benefitting from the house as well as its rent, little good can be expected from the rank and file. Besides, it would create a sense of resentment among the hard-pressed lower grade officials. There must be equal application of the law. The PAC also vented its anger on reports of financial misdemeanours involving Pakistan Steel Mills. Likewise, there is no denying its contention that if the Ministry of Industries and Production sets its house in order, the country would not have to resort to bowing down before the IMF. The PAC is showing an excellent performance. It has been brave enough to bombard the land mafia existing within the military with serious criticism. But while it is moving in the right direction, it should be strengthened as a bulwark against corruption.