District govts audit reports referred to CM, court told

LAHORE

Punjab Assembly through its secretary told the Lahore High Court on Monday that a reference regarding audit reports on accounts of district governments sent by Punjab Governor had been pending before the Chief Minister for final decision. It was stated by the secretary in a written reply submitted before the court of Justice Shahid Waheed during hearing of a petition filed by opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed questioning non-presentation of audit reports of district governments of the province before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The assembly’s secretary stated that the audit reports had not been presented before the assembly; therefore, the same could not be discussed by the PAC. Representing the opposition leader, Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued that the audit reports of district governments of the Punjab had never been presented to the PAC nor laid before the house. He said that as per section 108 of Punjab Local Government Act, 2013, the audit reports of the auditor general shall be considered by the PAC. He said the PAC was the main instrument of parliamentary system and its strengthening was vital to ensure accountability of public funds and good governance.