Former Olympians want audit body to hear them

KARACHI: The three-member audit committee appointed by the government to conduct audit of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) expenses has failed to hold its first meeting although one week has passed since its formation.
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.
Former Olympians have hailed the appointment of the audit committee and said that it should not sit in the PHF to conduct the audit as PHF itself is a party.
Olympian Salim Nazim said that a fair and transparent audit was not possible in the PHF’s office as “they are experts in filling pages and make documents in their favour,” he said.
He said the former Olympians had offered the audit committee to invite them to ascertain the misuse of funds.
Salim said that standing committees of National Assembly and Senate on sports had also invited them and other former international players during the tenure of former PHF secretary Brig (Rtd) Musaratullah. “So it would not be a new practice if this audit committee invited former Olympians and grassroots organisers and coaches to learn about the details of the misuse of funds,” he said.
Olympian Qamar Zia said that his group was waiting for the invitation of the audit committee. He claimed that the establishment of the audit committee was the result of efforts and struggle of former Olympians and international players and domestic hockey organizers. “How can they ignore us?” he asked.
He said the audit committee should establish its own office and independently conduct the audit and listen to all the stakeholders with neutrality so that the truth comes to fore.
The government did not release funds to PHF, saying it was not satisfied with the way previously given amounts were spent.
PHF got more than Rs1.2 billion from the current government of PML-N and the PPP-led government from 2008 to 2013.
The Olympians said that the terms of reference of the audit committee was the most important aspect as far as transparent and impartial audit was concerned.