The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that there is an urgent need to address the backlog of pending audit paras (observations made during an audit that identify irregularities, procedural lapses, and other issues) in various state entities.
This comes as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calls for prompt action on the matter.
AGP Ajmal Gondal said: “Financial audit system not working properly owing to non-implementation of the rules.”
In a recent briefing, the AGP revealed that between 500,000 and 600,000 audit paras from different ministries and institutions are pending.
In addition, the number of audit paras awaiting review by the PAC has surpassed 30,000, a situation paired with the absence of chief internal accountants, which constitutes non-compliance with Parliament’s directives.
Gondal noted that only 15 ministries currently have chief financial officers, and no institution has a chief internal accountant in place.
He said: “The institutions secretaries, chief financial officers [are] not clearing the financial audit.”
“The internal audit system [is] not existing in the state institutions.”
The PAC has responded by requesting detailed reports from the ministries and institutions within one month.
This development comes as Pakistan engaged in discussions with the IMF for the first biannual review of the $7bn Extended Fund Facility earlier in 2025.
A nine-member IMF mission has started its first biannual review of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility.
In February 2025, CPA Canada and ICAP partnered through an MoU, allowing accountants of the country to pursue Canadian CPA designation.
The collaboration will provide opportunities for Pakistani accountants and enhance the Canadian business landscape with skilled professionals.
