PAC expresses deep concern over financial irregularities in Mines & Mineral Development Dept.

PAC expresses deep concern over financial irregularities in Mines & Mineral Development Dept.

QUETTA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed deep concern over the financial irregularities in the Mines and Mineral Development Department.
The PAC also expressed concern over the matter of non-recovery of genuine profit and due royalty of the province.
The PAC met with its Chairman, Asghar Ali Tareen in the chair on Monday.
The members of PAC as well as Secretary Provincial Assembly, Tahir Shah Kakar, Accountant General, Nasrullah Jan, Director General Audit, Shuja Ali, Additional Secretary PAC, Siraj Lehri, Chief Accounts Officer PAC, Syed Idrees Agha besides the officials of Law, Mines and Mineral Development and Finance departments.
The PAC adopted strict stance on the issue of non-recovery of the royalty and arrears of the province from the mining companies.
The meeting discussed the matters about financial irregularities and non payment of the financial rights of Balochistan.
It was informed that Balochistan has the right of getting 30 percent of the pure profit of Balochistan Saindak Mettles Limited (SML).
However, the Director General of Mines Department failed in recovery of Rs. 669.432 million in the financial year 2020-21.
The Petroleum Division has directed to SML to stop payment to Balochistan government.
On this, Zabid Ali Reki expressed concern and termed it violation of the constitution and Aghaz Haqooq Balochistan Package.
Addressing the meeting, Chairman PAC condemned the move and lodge protest at the higher level.
He also vowed to fight for the rights of the province.
The PAC members also decided to convene a special meeting on the issue.
Zabid Ali Reki regretfully pointed out that the mining companies are earning billions of rupees from the province, but on the other hand, people are deprived of the basic amenities of life and rights.