ISLAMABAD – The Planning Ministry came under heavy fire from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday over widespread financial irregularities, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability in the handling of public funds.
In a charged meeting chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, PAC members expressed outrage over audit findings that revealed the ministry had issued supplementary grants amounting to 134% more than the original budget allocations. The committee described this as a serious breach of financial discipline and indicative of a collapse in internal control systems.
PAC member Naveed Qamar questioned the very structure and intent of the Planning Ministry, stating that the excessive use of supplementary grants showed a complete lack of planning. He argued that the division seemed to operate without any meaningful strategic direction.
Another member, Riaz Fatyana, condemned the state of the ministry, saying that with the rising unemployment and deteriorating public services, the ministry had failed in its responsibilities. He remarked that the audit objections were so alarming that the entire ministry “might as well be shut down.”
Chairman Junaid Akbar also voiced concern over what he termed a complete loss of financial and administrative control. He demanded answers on how such extensive supplementary grants were approved without proper oversight and whether other departments were facing similar breakdowns.
In response to the revelations, the PAC decided to launch formal inquiries into the flagged audit objections. Ministries and departments involved have been ordered to submit detailed reports on the irregularities within one month.
The session also saw calls for broader transparency in government spending. Lawmaker Sardar Sanaullah Mastikhel demanded that the benefits and privileges of not just politicians, but also senior bureaucrats, military officials, and judges be disclosed. He argued that public accountability must apply equally across all branches of power.
The audit highlighted several alarming issues, including unauthorized payments, non-compliance with financial rules, and poorly executed development schemes. The PAC emphasized that such mismanagement in a key ministry responsible for national planning undermines public trust and weakens the overall governance structure.
The committee warned that failure to implement reforms and restore financial discipline could lead to further scrutiny and possibly disciplinary action against those responsible. The meeting concluded with a directive for all involved departments to cooperate fully with the investigations and ensure timely submission of reports.
This latest development marks a significant escalation in parliamentary oversight efforts and reflects growing concerns over the misuse of public funds and the need for stronger institutional accountability.
