ISLAMABAD
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) ordered Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Military Intelligence (MI) to take joint investigation three billion interest free loan scheme amid Covid era.
Committee also summoned Finance secretary and Governor State Bank Of Pakistan on Wednesday.
Chairman Noor Alam Khan said during corona time $3 billion interested free loan was given to some favorite industrialist and other few people.
State Bank wrote explanatory letter in which he said the loan was given to assist industrialies amid Covid time and it was not interest free. 5% interest was imposed on loan. Loan was given under TERF scheme.
Chairman further said State Bank has not told the name of those who took loan and present situation of loan return.
Member committee Barjis Tahir of Pmln said 620 people and companies were awarded with interest free loan. During that other member Senator Mohsin Aziz of PTI said TERF scheme gave loan to industrial sector, loan was also given to increase imports and due to which $4billion imports raised. Mohsin Aziz expressed anger over again and again interruption and it caused exchange of bitter words between committee member Barjis Tahir and Mohsin Aziz, committee chairman interfered and make both quiet and said don’t make committee meeting a market.
Mohsin Aziz PTI senator said I will not work as rubber stamp 3200,000 people got jobs due to this $3 billion loan, I will tell truth, also see what benefits country got by awarding these loans.
Committee chairman said I only want the revelation of name who took loans.
PAC summoned State Bank governor and Secretary Finance for explanation of issue and also summoned list of those who took loans.
Audit report 2019-2020 of energy ministry was reviewed in the meeting. Report identified more than 4000 billion irregularities.
50 objections of Rs.128.23 billion were presented for review. Committee expressed anger for not holding departmental accounts committee meetings.
Chairman Committee expressed deep concern over unannounced electricity load shedding across the country.
He said I spent Eid holidays on Grid stations, officers’ salaries gets increase but people don’t get electricity.
During that Committee member Ramesh Kumar said main reason behind load shedding is electricity theft. I know three areas where is no electricity theft and they are at zero load shedding.
Secretary energy told committee that circular debt of electricity sector crossed Rs.2370 billion.
PAC handed over the investigation of eight audit paragraphs of 9.20 billion to FIA.
PAC meeting was held under chairmanship of Noor Alam Khan on Tuesday.
Noor Alam Khan said in start that the meeting will continue till 14 July. Afterward committee will remain on one month leave till the assembly will be dissolved.
Till polls, members will pay attention to their constituencies.
