Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has instructed to expedite the process of auditing institutions and has requested a list of all institutions involved in auditing along with a progress report.
According to Express News, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a high-level meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s House regarding auditing. The meeting was attended by Senator Ishaq Dar, Masood Malik, Sheeza Fatima, Romina Khursheed Alam, Ahad Cheema, Ali Pervez Malik, Rana Ehsan Afzal, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Jehanzeb, Governor State Bank, Chairman FBR, Secretary Auditing, Secretary Law, and other senior officials. Prominent banker Muhammad Aurangzeb participated in the meeting via video link.
The meeting discussed the latest situation of auditing of institutions such as PIA, Housings Building Finance Corporation, First Women Bank, Rosewell Hotel, Heavy Electrical Complex, electricity plants and distribution companies, and Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation among other institutions running in losses. The meeting also reviewed the progress so far made and identified barriers.
Secretary of the Auditing Ministry and other relevant authorities briefed the meeting. It was highlighted in the meeting that a major reason for delays in auditing process are the orders issued by the courts. The Prime Minister directed to make the legal team presented by the government more effective in such matters and the Ministry of Law should suggest appropriate actions.
The meeting was informed that the deadline for the receipt of bids for audit sourcing of airports was 5th March.
The Prime Minister has directed to expedite the process of auditing so that the economy can be revitalized and relief can be provided to the people at a quicker pace. Barriers should be removed quickly so that the country and nation can be saved from billions of rupees in losses.
The Prime Minister has instructed to present a complete list and progress report of all institutions involved in auditing, with clear timelines for actions and objectives. He also directed the Auditing Commission and the Auditing Ministry to present the privatization-related issues for the Cabinet to make decisions on them so that they can be resolved without further delays.
The Prime Minister also directed to form a committee to review the proposal of handing over electricity companies to provinces, which will present recommendations to him. He clarified that the responsibility for the entire process of auditing lies with the Auditing Commission and the Auditing Ministry. If there are any issues, it is also the responsibility of the Ministry and the Auditing Commission to resolve them.
In his address at the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that institutions running in losses are burdening the country and the nation. With the intention of pleasing God and bringing benefit to the country and nation, everyone should play their sincere role in saving the nation from these losses.