ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee was told on Wednesday that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has auctioned 29 commercial plots worth Rs37 billion in a non-transparent manner. The meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament was presided over by its Chairman Junaid Akbar which examined the audit reports of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination for the year 2023-24.
The meeting was informed that the CDA conducted a non-transparent auction of 29 commercial plots. The audit officials said the CDA board had approved the auction of 29 commercial plots worth over Rs37 billion. However, the auction of five plots was postponed and there were legal complications related to one plot.
The committee inquired why the CDA board did not consider the legalities while approving the auction. The chairman PAC also asked why the CDA did not prepare a financial statement required to be submitted to the federal government after certification by a chartered accountant. The auditors said that violation of the ordinance under the CDA Act can also lead to imprisonment of relevant officers.
At this, the Member Finance CDA said financial statement has never been prepared, however, “we are preparing one for 2023-24”. The PAC members expressed annoyance over the issue and described the behavior of CDA chairman as ‘completely inappropriate’. Later, the Public Accounts Committee directed the CDA to submit financial statements within six months.
While examining the audit para on possession of weapons and ammunition without license by the Gun and Country Club, committee member Syed Hussain Tariq inquired as to how a government institution can commit such an illegality. The other members of the PAC also expressed their reservations over the issue. The chairman PAC directed submission of a report within a month.
The audit para regarding non-deposit of an additional balance of Rs480 million by the Gun and Country Club in the Sports Endowment Fund account was also examined. The chairman PAC also ordered a complete audit of the club within a month and sought its report.
The committee meeting examined the loss of over Rs46.12 million to the national treasury due to the purchase of uniforms at excessive rates by the Ministry of Interior. It also examined the audit into the loss of over Rs30 million due to non-transparent purchase of cameras by the Frontier Constabulary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The committee members expressed their anger over the non-participation of IGFC in the meeting. Sher Arbab said the IGFC should have attended the meeting. The chairman PAC directed the Ministry of Interior to recover the amount within a month and submit report of action against those responsible.
The Public Accounts Committee was informed that a supplementary grant given to the Ministry of Interior was not approved by the National Assembly. While examining the audit report of the Ministry of Interior 2023-24, the PAC directed summoning the secretary finance over unsatisfactory response.