PAC Flags Misuse of Funds and Sugar Crisis

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Pakistan’s National Assembly held a charged session on Monday, highlighting deep-rooted financial irregularities, mounting concerns over the country’s sugar supply, and the unresolved issue of unpaid staff at Pakistan Television (PTV). Chaired by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Junaid Akbar Khan, the session revealed alarming lapses in ministerial oversight and raised questions about the state’s commitment to fiscal accountability.

During the proceedings, PAC members expressed serious concern over reports of misappropriated public funds within several departments, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Committee officials noted that PTV employees had gone without salaries for months, an issue that underscores the broader dysfunction within state-run media institutions. MNA Junaid Akbar strongly criticised the concerned officials for failing to provide a clear explanation for the delay in payments and demanded immediate corrective measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

Beyond the media sector, the committee turned its attention to the country’s growing sugar crisis. Reports presented during the session indicated that poor planning, lack of enforcement, and weak coordination between regulatory bodies have exacerbated shortages and driven up retail prices. The committee was particularly critical of the Ministry of Industries and Production for not fulfilling its responsibility to monitor sugar stocks and ensure fair market distribution. Lawmakers questioned the rationale behind export approvals earlier in the year, which may have contributed to the current supply gaps.

In closing, the PAC reiterated its commitment to pursuing institutional reform and financial discipline across all government departments. The meeting concluded with a call for swift action to address salary delays at PTV and a demand for detailed reports on the handling of sugar reserves and subsidy allocations. As inflation continues to burden ordinary citizens and the cost of living rises, parliamentary oversight remains one of the few tools available to challenge inefficiency and misgovernance. The revelations from the PAC session serve as a stark reminder that without transparency and timely interventions, public trust in the system will further erode.