ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, for the first time in the country’s history, ordered the audit of the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP).
According to documents available with this scribe, the president appointed Additional Finance Secretary Dr Arshad Mahmood as the external auditor general of Pakistan who would audit sanctions to expenditure accorded by the auditor general.
“The auditor general shall produce for inspection by that officer all required books and other documents relating thereto and give him such information as he may require for the purpose of the audit,” the document read.
It is pertinent to mention that the AGP conducts the audit of all government departments and autonomous bodies but there was no governing body that could audit the accounts of the AGP.
Sources said that incumbent Auditor General Javaid Jahangir was creating hindrances in the way of AGP’s audit, which was why the process was being delayed for the last three years.
They said the previous government had appointed Jahangir in 2017 despite serious financial allegations against him. “The allegations remained uninvestigated even after numerous letters to the Establishment Division seeking disciplinary proceedings against him.”
Sources said that former finance minister Asad Umar had forward three names to the PM for the appointment of the external auditor. Eventually, the PM selected Dr Arshad Mahmood and asked the president to issue orders in this regard.
The Public Accounts Committee on numerous occasions had asked the government to conduct the audit of this department but the previous government kept a mum on this matter.
An AGP spokesperson rebuffed the rumours that the audit was being conducted on the “corruption allegations”.
He said there was a provision in law with regard to the audit of AGP. “The AGP office conducts its internal audit every year and gets approved its report from the board. It is an international practice.”
Very Good Decision taken by President Dr Arif Alvi about conduction of AGP audit. In AGP there is also may be ghost employees enlisted/enrolled and taken a salary. So, the auditor should also check such factor too.
I appreciate such V.G Decision.
A courageous initiative. Why not audit of AGP office and offices under AGP..like DG Audit of Federal, provinces, defence etc
Each penny of Public money to be accounted for and they are also liable under same rule. No internal arrangements of conducting audit by their selected board members is acceptable and surely cant be transparent too. A very thought provoking order by the president…