ISLAMABAD: A scam of theft of crude oil worth Rs142 billion landed in the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday but the top officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources came in the meeting unprepared and failed to give satisfactory answers to the queries raised in the members. Acting Secretary Petroleum Arshad Mirza told the committee that the issue was under investigation and its report will be submitted dafter completion of the inquiry. The PAC meeting headed by Syed Khursheed Shah took notice on reports appearing in the national media regarding irregularities against the Ministry of Petroleum and exploration and production companies. The Petroleum Ministry officials admitted that they have no mechanism to monitor the oil refineries and to check theft. Interesting aspect of the scam was that the oil refineries were also involved in stealing. The PAC member Abdul Manan remarked that the media knew the details of the scam but the Ministry of Petroleum was not aware of it. Another member Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry said it seemed that the top officials were also involved in the scam. Sardar Ashiq Gopang asked the Petroleum Ministry officials whether they had caught anyone who steals oil. The officials said some arrests were made in Parco. Abdul Manan said what the media has reported seems to be correct. The Petroleum Ministry officials sought time of 15 days to complete the inquiry, which was accepted by the PAC.
