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ISLAMABAD: The special Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday took strong notice of financial embezzlements and overpayments under different projects of NHA and sought detailed report in two weeks.
Committee met here under the chairmanship of Riaz Pirzadah to review the audit report of Ministry of Communications for the fiscal year 1997-98.
Members including Hamid Yar Haraj, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Aftab Shaban Meerani, Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA Chaudhry Altaf and high officials of Auditor General of Pakistan attended the meeting.
The PAC snubbed the Secretary Communication for giving five time extension to contractor in Indus Highway project and asked about the reason of this nepotism.
Secretary Muhammad Sharif apprised the committee that due to the shortage of funds, the ministry has to give extension to the contractors.
Audit officials told committee that Chaudhry Nisar wrote a letter to Audit office that from the last serval years some government departments take approval of the expenditure after disclosing irregularities which is unlawful.
Secretary apprised the committee that according to the rules and regulation, the board of government department can give approval of the expenses later in this regard.
While answering to Secretary, Audit officials told the committee that there is no such rule in government departments.
Audit Officials also pointed out that NHA officials don't like to show their record to Audit officers.
Riaz Peerzada said that if the record will not produce before the audit officers then PAC will take serious action against the responsible officers.
Riaz Peerzada also remarked that in the lordship of Ch Altaf there is injustice in NHA. He said that Chairman should suspend those officers who are not performing their duties faithfully.
But unfortunately Ministry and NHA is not giving importance to PAC directives, he added.
