The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed strong displeasure with the Secretary Food Security during a recent meeting. Chairperson Shazia Marri criticized the secretary for lack of preparation, stating that they should come with solutions rather than wasting the committee’s time. The chairman emphasized that the ministry is known for corruption and that the secretary’s inability to provide satisfactory answers was unacceptable.
Shazia Marri instructed the secretary to resolve issues within departmental committees before appearing before the PAC. The chairman questioned the purpose of the secretary’s presence if they were not prepared to provide answers. The PAC had previously granted the secretary time to prepare, and the chairperson highlighted the financial cost of the meeting, asking who would be held responsible for the waste of time.
The chairman, Aamir Dogar, emphasized that corruption in the Food Security ministry is a serious issue and that illegal appointments had been made. He stressed that the ministry has a history of corruption and that it was imperative for the secretary to be prepared to address these issues. The PAC had given the secretary a month to prepare, but their lack of readiness was evident.
The PAC’s strong reaction underscores the importance of accountability in government ministries. The committee’s role is to ensure transparency and good governance, and they will not tolerate inefficiency or corruption. The secretary’s failure to provide satisfactory answers has raised concerns about the ministry’s ability to manage public resources effectively. The PAC’s next steps will likely determine the course of action for the ministry and the secretary’s future in the role.
