ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has questioned the continued posting of passport and immigration officials at Pakistani foreign missions beyond the prescribed three-year period, with audit authorities pointing out that officers who had completed their tenure were not repatriated and replaced as required under the policy.
The PAC refused to take up audit objections concerning the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) after its chairman failed to appear before the committee, prompting members to express strong displeasure over his absence.
During the PAC meeting chaired by Acting PAC Chairperson Shahida Akhtar Ali to examine audit objections relating to the Ministry of Interior, audit officials informed the committee that 46 officials were still serving at foreign missions despite having completed the period for which they were posted.
During the PAC meeting, audit officials said officers posted abroad for three years should have been brought back and replaced by other officials. PAC member Hina Rabbani Khar questioned under which law extensions were granted after completion of their three-year tenure, saying that was against the rules. responsible for failing to implement the policy should be proceeded against, observing that the policy was still not being properly enforced. It also directed the interior secretary to provide complete information about the foreign postings within two weeks.
Senator Bilal pointed out that the audit para pertained to 2025, while the relevant officials had already remained posted abroad for an additional two years. Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said salaries already paid to the officials would have to be regularised, as the department would eventually have to send new personnel abroad.
The interior secretary said the government would have to review the policy, which dates back to 2016. He sought more than three weeks, warning that immediately recalling all officials posted abroad could disrupt services. Moeen Amir Pirzada said responsibility should also be fixed on those who had failed to implement the foreign posting policy. The PAC acting chairperson directed the department to strictly implement the committee’s instructions and submit a detailed progress report every 21 days.
In the meanwhile, the PAC refused to take up audit objections concerning the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) after its chairman failed to appear before the committee, prompting members to express strong displeasure over his absence.
The acting chairperson told the committee that the Nadra chairman had sent a letter stating that he could not attend the meeting. Nadra officials explained that the chairman had gone to attend a funeral.
