The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman, Noor Alam Khan, reiterated on Friday the committee’s directive to lift the ban on opening new petrol pumps in Sindh, Balochistan, and other provinces. Emphasizing the need for prompt action, he emphasized that any further delay in implementing the committee’s orders would not be tolerated.
During the committee meeting, which was chaired by Noor Alam Khan, the audit paras related to the Petroleum Division for the fiscal year 2019-20 were discussed. The chairman stated that he had already issued instructions a day prior to lift the ban on new petrol pumps and stressed the importance of immediate compliance.
The special secretary of the Petroleum Division informed the committee that their orders to remove the ban on domestic gas connections had been implemented.
Unfortunately, the federal secretary petroleum was unable to attend the PAC meeting due to his son’s illness. However, the committee successfully addressed and resolved 54 audit paras pertaining to the ministry.
Barjees Tahir, a member of the committee, raised concerns about the significant investment in the natural gas pipeline network in certain areas of the country without delivering gas supply to the villages. Tahir called for an audit to identify and hold accountable those responsible for such mismanagement.
In response, the PAC chairman expressed his intention to request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of the issue. He highlighted that billions of rupees had been wasted on futile projects under the guise of supplying gas to rural areas, and appropriate action should be taken to address this matter.
The PAC chairman’s insistence on the timely implementation of lifting the ban on new petrol pumps reflects the committee’s commitment to ensuring effective governance and transparency in the petroleum sector. The PAC’s continued efforts to address audit paras and hold accountable those responsible for mismanagement further demonstrate their dedication to upholding financial integrity and promoting responsible decision-making within the government.
