PPP gets PAC-II chair as Gilani’s son elected to slot

LAHORE:Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has got the chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee-2 (PAC) after Syed Ali Haider Gilani, son of Chairman Senate and former p0rime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani got elected unanimously as its head.

The decision regarding PAC-1 is yet to be taken and this office normally goes to the opposition leader.Regarding PAC-2, in a significant development, PPP’s Parliamentary Leader in Punjab Assembly, Ali Haider Gilani was elected as the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee-II. The election took place during a meeting held in Punjab Assembly Committee Room-2. MPA Malik Asad Ali Khokhar of PMLN proposed Ali Haider Gilani’s name, which was seconded by MPA Shazia Abid who belongs to PPP.

This is pertinent to mention that the purpose of Public Accounts Committees of PA is to look into the matters related to public departments and particularly hold their accountability and suggest actions over the irregularities. With PPP MPA and parliamentary leader as its head, a real test has started for the newly elected chairman whether he would call for action against the officials or departments which fall under the government of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

In last tenure of PTI, the headship of PAC-II belonged to PTI MPAs Syed Yawar Bokhari, also a close relative of Zulfi Bokhari as well as Sajid Bhatti, who was MPA of PMLQ.Syed Yawar Abbas Bokhari in his tenure ordered stern action over the alleged irregularities in Saaf Paani project initiated in Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Now, Ali Haider Gilani has also a tough ask ahead in this regard.

Moreover, traditionally, PAC-II office also goes to a ruling party MPA or ally, thus, with PPP’s Ali Haider Gilani as its head, questions have also started circulating in power corridors whether PPP has in principle agreed to join the government. Gilani’s real brother Abdul Qadir Gilani, who is currently the sitting MPA from Multan has also headed PAC-II in 2009 and replaced Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood who was in PMLF member then.