Islamabad (October 04, 2018): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has reportedly finalised the name of Fakhar Imam to head the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Amir Dogar, chief whip of the party, confirmed the development and said the government wanted a non-partisan figure to head the Public Accounts Committee.He added that the opposition might agree on the name of Fakhar Imam and a final decision would be announced soon.
Separately, PML-N leader and former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday rejected PTI’s pick and said PAC chairmanship was the opposition’s prerogative.
“It’s not a matter of non-partisanship or honesty but it is a matter of principle. Parliament has to function on traditions not dictation. PAC head will be from the opposition,” he added.
The opposition had earlier announced it won’t nominate members to standing committees if it was ‘robbed of its right’ to head the Public Accounts Committee.
A meeting to this effect took place Wednesday between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif.
The two agreed on a joint strategy to tackle the government’s bid to keep PAC under its domain and mutually agreed that the opposition parties won’t compromise on the issue.
Both ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are at odds over Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairmanship.
PML-N wanted to get the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee, whereas the federal government mulling to appoint PAC chairman from the treasury benches.
PAC is the apex parliamentary watchdog that oversees the audit of revenue and expenditure by the government.
Federal government has decided to appoint PAC chairman from the treasury benches whereas traditionally, this post has been held by the opposition.
Federal minister of information and broadcast Fawad Chaudhry, while raising objections on the appointment of opposition leader—has made it clear that PML-N couldn’t review audit objections raised during their tenure.
“Under the charter of democracy signed between PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the opposition leader is awarded chairmanship of PAC”, revealed Fawad.
PML-N president and opposition leader in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif claimed PAC chairmanship is predominantly the prerogative of the opposition.
Responding to a question whether he would be the chairman of PAC, Shehbaz Sharif replied that it is custom that opposition leader enjoys PAC chairmanship. He said, “If Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) takes u-turn on it then I would avoid saying anything”.
Shehbaz inquired why federal govt feels intimidated by the effective role of opposition. He warned govt against subjugating opposition on the issue.
“PAC chairman will be appointed as per traditions of the NA, not through browbeat”, cleared PML-N president.
Last week, the speaker national assembly Asad Qaisar met Prime Minister Imran Khan and expressed his stance that as per the parliamentary tradition the opposition leader should be appointed as PAC chairman and recommended the party to continue with the parliamentary tradition.
He told the PM that appointment of Shehbaz will helpful in the continuity of democracy and better working relationship with the opposition as he also expressed his concerns over the conduct of few ministers.
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