ISLAMABAD: Federal government has presented Auditor General powers amendment bill in National Assembly, under which Auditor General service tenure would be four years, while the auditor general will be authorized to audit government institutions and local governments.
A meeting of Standing Committee of National Assembly for finance was held chaired by Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, during which auditor general powers and services amendment bill was presented. The committee member Naveed Qamar questioned whether the permanent auditor general was appointed or not, on which Additional Auditor General Imran Iqbal told the committee that additional auditor general – II Haq Nawaz was appointed as acting auditor general and has requested registrar Supreme court to write oath. Acting Auditor General will also take oath by Chief Justice.
Audit officials told the committee that under new amendments, the Auditor General is being authorized to audit government institutions. Currently there are 19 government organizations which are beyond audit. Auditor General is also being authorized to audit local governments.
Secretary Finance ministry Tariq Bajwa said that relevant secretary is bound to follow audit rules and recovering corruption amount is responsibility of Auditor general. Committee Chairman said that NAB has written letter to file reference against National Bank Bangladesh fraud, while the reference is being filed in Anti-Terrorism court of Karachi.
