National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom Raises Alarm
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom has expressed serious concerns over Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) refusal to undergo an official audit, despite clear instructions from the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Committee Questions PTCL Officials on Audit Compliance
During the meeting, members grilled PTCL officials over the company’s continuous non-compliance. The committee chairman directly questioned:
“Why has PTCL not conducted the audit yet?”
Audit officials disclosed that PTCL has repeatedly declined, citing that the Etisalat Group, which owns a significant stake in PTCL, is not a public body and therefore claims exemption from such audits.
Dispute Over Privatization Agreement
Senator Afnanullah’s Argument
Senator Afnanullah pointed out a clause in PTCL’s privatization agreement, suggesting it may exempt the company from mandatory audits.
Audit Authorities’ Response
However, audit officials stated they would verify the clause before making any final assessment.
Strong Criticism from Lawmakers
Senator Nadeem Bhutto’s Remarks
Senator Nadeem Bhutto harshly criticized PTCL’s stance, saying:
“The Supreme Court has issued clear directives that PTCL’s audit must be carried out, yet it is still being ignored.”
Ministry of IT Clarifies Audit Process
The Ministry of IT officials clarified that PTCL does conduct audits, but not through the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP)—a key requirement for entities with majority government shareholding.
Role of Auditor General in PTCL Audit
Audit authorities emphasized:
“Any company where the government holds the majority share is bound to be audited by the Auditor General.”
Public Accountability Concerns
The Standing Committee warned that PTCL’s continuous refusal to undergo an AGP audit raises serious concerns of public accountability, as it reflects direct defiance of government and judicial directives.
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