A new dispute has emerged between the National Assembly and the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) after the NA Speaker sent back the annual audit report for FY2023-24. The report was not presented in parliament due to procedural concerns raised by the NA Speaker.
The audit report, which revealed Rs. 375 trillion in financial irregularities, was returned because it was directly submitted to the NA Secretariat. The NA Speaker stated that the report should have been routed through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs first.
This amount of irregularities is exceptionally high—27 times the federal budget and over three times the country’s GDP. The report pointed out large discrepancies in procurement, delayed civil works, and circular debt.
The AGP reminded the NA Speaker and parliamentary officials of their constitutional duty to table the audit report in the National Assembly. However, the AGP had already made the report public by uploading it on its website before formal presentation.
Financial experts are questioning the credibility of the figures, suggesting possible errors or gaps in the financial oversight system.
An AGP spokesperson said copies of the report were sent to all relevant departments, including the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the NA, and Senate Secretariats. For the first time, the total irregularities were included in the report’s executive summary to improve clarity.
The NA Speaker’s decision highlights the importance of following proper procedures in parliamentary matters. It also shows ongoing tensions over transparency and accountability in government audits.
The issue remains unresolved, with the audit report now back in the hands of the AGP office for further review.
In other related news also read Audit Reveals Rs550M Irregularities In Punjab Home Department Funds
