PAC questions Rs101.4 million secret expenditure by Information Ministry

ISLAMABAD:

A sub-committee under Pakistan’s public accounts on Tuesday raised serious questions about undisclosed expenditure by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighting Rs101.4 million in secret funds.

The committee noted that Rs 70 million had been spent under a special publicity fund, Rs 26.6 million was allocated to the Department of Regional Studies and another Rs 4.8 million spent on intelligence expenditure. Audit officials said proof of payment and bank records had not been provided.

The ministry failed to provide records of the expenditure, prompting the audit report to note “serious questions” over the use of these funds. It also criticized the ministry for keeping the secret funds out of the audit process, calling it “unconstitutional”.

Committee member Bilal Mandokhail expressed frustration: “There is no record of anything. How is that possible?”

The subcommittee decided to issue a notice to the retired Information Secretary requesting a formal response. Members also reminded officials of the constitutional directive that the Auditor General must have access to all public records.

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Officials stressed that under the law, officials are legally required to provide complete records for audit. The committee warned that action would be taken against officials obstructing the audit process, stressing that secret funds could only be classified under the law.

The audit report also raised questions about a payment of more than Rs 50 million to a private advertising firm for a campaign in Benazir Bhutto’s name, benefiting the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Commenting on the payment, Mandokhail asked: “Did the song even become a hit? Was it actually played?”

The information secretary admitted the ministry had no details, prompting the committee to direct officials to provide full information.