PAC panel grills NLC over property transaction in violation of PPRA rules

ISLAMABAD: The Sub-Committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) strongly criticised the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for purchasing a house in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) without advertisement, deeming it a clear violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.

The meeting was held to examine audit objections related to the Ministry of Planning and Development for the financial years 2012-13 to 2015-16. It was chaired by Convener of the Sub-Committee of Public Accounts Committee Moin Aamir Pirzada. It asked how a residential property was permitted to be converted into an office and directed audit officials to verify the NLC’s internal inquiry before the audit para could be resolved.

Audit officials informed the committee that the NLC had purchased a residential house for use as an office-cum-residence at a cost of Rs20 million, without adhering to PPRA procedures. The NLC representatives stated that the house was still being used for the same purpose and argued that the property’s value had increased, resulting in no financial loss to the government. Pirzada remarked that the violation of PPRA rules warranted disciplinary action against the responsible officer and emphasized that the matter would only be closed once the inquiry verification report was confirmed.