Imran agrees on Shahbaz’s name as PAC chairman

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shahmehmoodqureshiannouncedin the National Assembly on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to not stand in leader of the opposition Shahbaz Sharif’s way if he wants to head the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“We met Prime Minister Imran Khan on the issue of PAC chairmanship. We had offered the opposition to nominate any person other than Shahbaz Sharif but they did not budge. Imran Khan has reviewed his decision and if Shahbaz wants to head the PAC, the government will not obstruct. In the larger interest of democracy and in order to make the parliament functional, we concede to the opposition’s demand,” Qureshi said.

The development is a major breakthrough as the impasse between the government and opposition parties over PAC chairmanship had hampered legislative proceedings.shahbazcreditedthepremier that“onourrequesthehasagreedtoreview his stance,” noting that “the government wants to make this parliament functional as it wants to bring important legislation for the welfare of the people.”

Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq felicitated the prime minister and termed the decision as his most positive U-turn. If he continues to take such U-turns, democracy will be strengthened.”

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf acknowledged Speaker Asad Qaiser’s efforts “for playing a positive role” in the resolving of the PAC chairman issue.

He also lauded the government for reviewing its decision, adding that “after four months, this house will become functional”. “Hopefully, the parliament will now carry out legislative business.”

The PAC is the apex parliamentary watchdogthatoverseestheauditofrevenue and expenditure by the government and it is considered to be the most powerful and important committee of the parliament. Previously, the PAC comprised only members of the National Assembly, but recently members of Senate have also been made part of it.

Though there is no restriction on the government in the rules to give the chairmanship of the PAC to opposition parties, it has been a parliamentary practice and tradition that the ofice is given to an opposition member to ensure transparency in inancial matters.