ISLAMABAD:
A subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered major irregularities in the Port Qasim Authority’s (PQA) financial affairs, including the unauthorised use of Rs185 billion over two fiscal years.
At a meeting chaired by Convener Moin Amir Pirzada, audit officials revealed that the PQA spent the huge amount during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years without securing the required approval from the federal government, in clear violation of rules.
The maritime affairs secretary attributed the lapse to the authority’s former practice of preparing its own annual budget, which used to be cleared by the board.
However, the chair emphasised that irregularities had occurred nonetheless and directed a full audit of the matter.
