Dar urges AGP office to attain top-notch auditing standards

ISLAMABAD: Effective working of the audit department in any country can help remove irregularities and ensure good governance and accountability in financial matters.
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said this while addressing officers and officials of the Office of Auditor General of Pakistan here on Friday. He also had a meeting with the Auditor General, Rana Assad Amin.
The minister said the PML-N government is determined to introduce complete transparency and accountability in all governmental affairs. He said active role of the Office of Auditor General of Pakistan will not only help end corruption, it will also lessen the burden on institutions like FIA and NAB.
He welcomed the measures being introduced by the newly appointed Auditor General Rana Assad Amin, for revamping the Office of AGP. He also welcomed the 2015-19 strategic plans being undertaken by the Auditor General, which aim at improving the overall auditing system.
The minister emphasised that the AGP should keep active liaison with organisations like ICMA, ICAP and other international bodies for brining improvement in the audit system and also better devising the strategic plan. He said the AGP office should attain world class auditing standard.
The finance minister said that Pakistan has a lot of potential it has shown tremendous resilience in the face of economic hardship. The country has achieved economic stability and now it is time to further build on this strong foundation.
Auditor General Rana Assad Amin briefed the minister on the strategic plan under which active liaison with international organisations/donors, training of the officers abroad and introduction of modern auditing techniques is envisaged. Emphasis will also be laid on procurement of quality equipment and infrastructure development under the plan. He said the AGP Office had offered bid for audit in WFP and was also eyeing IOM and Interpol for similar auditing opportunities. Rana Assad added that AGP office was making efforts for establishment of Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of SAARC countries. Pakistan, he said, would have a leading role in this institution. He said officers would gain experience of audit at international level and Pakistan would earn precious foreign exchange.
Rana Assad said that the new AGPR has also been appointed with the clear message to provide quality services to all the ministries and departments. He said compared to the past, there were minimal complaints about AGPR in the closing stages of the fiscal year 2014-15. The Auditor General told the minister that an audit reforms committee had already been constituted with a view to improving auditing procedures. “We want to make auditing a truly professional affair”, he said.
The Auditor General informed the minister that AGP office was maintaining active liaison with the PAC and it was his endeavour to clear the last two/three years’ backlog as early as possible.