ISLAMABAD: A Sub-Committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday flagged serious audit irregularities and institutional lapses in entities under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, highlighting years-long delays in financial scrutiny and lack of coordination among key departments.
The meeting of the PAC sub-committee, chaired by convener Moeen Aamir Pirzada, reviewed audit objections related to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for the financial year 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2013-15 to 2022-23 raising serious concerns over financial irregularities and institutional inefficiencies.
Audit officials informed the meeting that the accounts of the Pakistan Central Cotton Research Institute have not been audited since 2016. Official said that the institute, which operates on cess collected from textile mills, has not received cotton cess funds for several years, leaving it unable to even pay salaries to its employees.
Audit authorities further revealed that at least Rs2 million is required to conduct an external audit of the institute. Expressing Concerns, Convener Sub-Committee of the PAC Moeen Amir Pirzada warned that continued neglect of research institutions would adversely impact cotton production in the country.
Officials from the ministry stated that the institute was in process of being merged into the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council as part of restructuring efforts.
The meeting was also told that the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department has failed to provide financial records since 2016, complicating the audit process. Authorities noted that companies are required to deposit the relevant cess into the Federal Treasury Office; however, the office has declined to provide verified accounts.
Calling the matter “serious,” convener Sub-Committee of the PAC Moeen Amir Pirzada questioned the administrative control of the treasury office and was informed that it falls under the Ministry of Finance.
He termed the lack of cooperation unacceptable and directed the food security ministry to formally write to the finance ministry. The PAC sub-committee directed the Ministry of National Food Security to formally take up the issue with the Ministry of Finance, adding that the committee itself would also write to the ministry to ensure an immediate resolution.
