Advocate General Punjab (AGP) Summoned In Audit Reports Case
The Lahore High Court has sought personal appearance of Advocate General Shakilur Rehman to explain submission of a four-year old report signed by then Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa in a latest case questioning non-presentation of audit reports of district governments of the province before Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
As Justice Shahid Waheed resumed hearing of a petition filed by Opposition Leader Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, the Additional Advocate General submitted a report on behalf of the Governor.
However, petitioner’s counsel Sheraz Zaka pointed out that the report submitted by the government carried signature of former Governor instead of the incumbent Rafiq Rajwana.
The judge expressed serious concern over the inefficiency of the Advocate General Office and summoned the AGP on the next hearing to explain the matter. The hearing was adjourned till April 19.
Mr Rasheed, the Opposition Leader, said in his petition that the audit reports of district governments of Punjab had never been presented to the PAC nor laid before the house.
He said section 108 of Punjab Local Government Act, 2013 stipulated that the audit reports of the Auditor General would be considered by the PAC.
He said that PAC was the main instrument of the parliamentary system and its empowerment was essential to ensure accountability of public funds and good governance, which would eventually eliminate corruption from the public sector.
This news was previously published in DAWN and is being republished here with permission.
