committeeLAHORE:Showing no importance to the Punjab Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC-III) meeting, deputy commissioners of several districts did not attend the session even through a video link which invited serious criticism on the administration from Chairman PAC-III Ahmad Iqbal.
Ahmad Iqbal, PMLN MPA and chairman of the committee while expressing serious displeasure over the absence of DCs from the video link meeting, suggested the DCs should join the meeting in person rather than attending it through any video link. Situation became quite embarrassing for the government when PAC-III Chairman, after initiating the meeting asked the DCs (who were supposed to join the meeting through video link) to turn on the videos. Having received no answer from any of the officials, the chairman asked, ‘Is there anyone here, DC Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Hafizabad and Kasur’.
However, when it was found that no DC was present in the meeting, the chairman of the committee remarked that ‘this is the situation of our administrators, they are least bothered with health and education, seems there is no ownership, it can't go on this way.’‘So we should start calling them to the meeting now if they don't want to come on line’ asked the chairman from a PA official while suggesting to call the officials batch wise to the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by member of the PAC-III, including Tanvir Aslam Malik and Malik Nausher Langrial. This is pertinent to mention that a few days ago, a privilege committee of PA that met with MPA Sami Ullah Khan in chair also decided to write a letter to Chief Secretary Punjab over the 'devil may care attitude' of the officials towards the meetings of PA committees. However, it seems that bureaucracy still doesn't bother much about the issue taken up by the PMLN legislators at the forum of PA.
This is also noteworthy that bureaucracy’s lack of cooperation has come under criticism during investigations into financial irregularities that occurred during the Buzdar government. The PAC-III of the Punjab Assembly was also convened to investigate irregularities in 19 District Education Authorities. However, not a single deputy commissioner attended the meeting, even online. The committee has now decided to summon the officers in person for the next session.
PAC-III Chairman Ahmed Iqbal expressed frustration over the lack of interest shown by officials in crucial education and health matters. The committee faced outright refusal from several senior officers when asked to provide explanations, said Ahmed Iqbal, emphasising the bureaucratic apathy towards accountability proceedings. The Secretary of Education has also been urged to take notice of the situation and ensure officials comply with the committee’s directives.
