Three-member body to audit PHF expenses

KARACHI: A high-level, three-member committee has been established by the federal government to conduct audit of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) financial affairs in different periods, ‘The News’ has learnt. Sources said that PHF had received the notification by the federal government, which said that the three members would conduct audit of the funds provided for the promotion of hockey.
The committee comprises a joint secretary of ministry of IPC, a high-level officer of ministry of IPC and an official from the Auditor General of Pakistan’s office.
The sources said that a huge amount of funds was given to PHF when Qasim Zia was its president and Asif Bajwa secretary.
Incumbent PHF president Akhtar Rasool and secretary Rana Mujahid were also part of the PHF at that time in different capacities.
Finance minister Ishaq Dar and information minister Pervaiz Rasheed had expressed concern about the financial affairs of PHF.
They had said that there was no shortage of funds but misuse of funds. They expressed concern at the fact that more than Rs1 billion had been released to PHF but even then Pakistan failed to qualify for Hockey World Cup 2014 and slumped to its lowest-ever ranking.
Former hockey Olympians and local organisers had launched a country-wide campaign to get the PHF officials suspended.
But the federal government instead of taking any action stopped releasing the funds. Former players hailed the federal government’s decision to establish the audit committee and expressed the hope that a transparent inquiry would be conducted.