Source: The Nation - Wednesday, December 6, 2006

ISLAMABAD - The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly on Tuesday expressed its annoyance over financial irregularities in PIA and Survey of Pakistan while reprimanding their top management for taking no action against corrupt elements.

The committee held its meeting here at the Parliament House with MNA Malik Allah Yar Khan in the chair. The Auditor General of Pakistan presented the audit report of the Defence Ministry and its subordinate organizations during 2000-01.

Taking strong exception to the embezzlement in accounts of the Defence Ministry, the PAC chairman observed, “It seems that corruption has become a national slogan.” He added that malpractices in the Defence Ministry were similar to those taking place at the level of tehsil council.

PIA Chairman Tariq Kirmani and committee member Qamaruz Zaman Kaira also had an exchange of harsh words on one occasion as the national flag carrier came under heavy criticism.

The committee also expressed its concern over the misappropriation of house building funds by employees of Survey of Pakistan.

The committee directed the Surveyor General to ensure transparency in the financial issues of his organization while reviewing objections raised by Auditor General of Pakistan during the scrutiny of accounts record of Survey of Pakistan.

Earlier, chairman PIA briefed the committee on the functioning of the national flag carrier. He talked about the additional strength of employees, presence of old fashioned aircraft in PIA fleet and hike in the prices of fuel in international market, adding that all those factors had resulted in financial losses confronting PIA.

He said that number of PIA employees stood at 19,800 at present. The salary package of PIA crew was far lower as compared to the employees of other airlines, he added.

He said that the cost of fuel had increased by Rs 34 billion whereas the budget allocations in this respect had been made to the tune of Rs 18 billion, adding that resultantly Rs 16 billion were being spent beyond the budgetary allocations on fuel purchase.

To a query, the PIA chairman said that new and modern aircraft were being inducted in PIA fleet to run it on modern lines. He added that negotiations were underway in this regard.

However, he said that PIA had neither any funds nor the government was in a position to help purchase new planes. The PIA Board of Directors had decided to acquire aircraft on lease, he added. Answering another question, he said that hotels being operated by PIA in New York and Paris would be sold through Privatization Commission.

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