Balochistan Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee Meeting: Strong Reaction Over Non-Provision of Balochistan Textbook Board Records

Quetta: A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly was held in the committee room under the chairmanship of Asghar Ali Tareen. The meeting reviewed audit paras from the fiscal years 2017-18 to 2022-23 in detail. Committee members, including Zabad Ali Reki, Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, DG Audit Shuja Ali, Additional Secretary Siraj Lehri, and officials from the Education, Finance, and Law Departments, attended the session.

During the meeting, matters related to secondary education, particularly the Balochistan Textbook Board, were discussed. It was revealed that the officials and chairman of the Balochistan Textbook Board failed to provide the required audit records. This sparked strong resentment among the committee chairman and members, leading to strict directives.

The committee directed that officials responsible for withholding records should be declared Officers on Special Duty (OSD) for five years and face action under the Balochistan Employees’ Disciplinary Act (BEDA). Additionally, it was recommended that the then-chairman, board secretary, and accounts officer be suspended and barred from holding any official position for five years.

PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen further instructed that a special audit of the matter be conducted within 15 days. He made it clear that immediate action would be taken against officials who failed to provide the necessary records.

This meeting marks a significant step toward improving financial discipline in Balochistan, particularly in ensuring transparency and accountability within the education sector.

The Gwadar Post