Govt agrees on Fakhar Imam's name to head PAC

Dunya News

Dogar said the government wanted a non-partisan figure to head the Public Accounts Committee.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has reportedly finalised the name of Fakhar Imam to head the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Amir Dogar, chief whip of the party, confirmed the development Tuesday and said the government wanted a non-partisan figure to head the Public Accounts Committee.

He added that the opposition might agree on the name of Fakhar Imam and a final decision would be announced soon.

Separately, PML-N leader and former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday rejected PTI’s pick and said PAC chairmanship was the opposition’s prerogative.

“It’s not a matter of non-partisanship or honesty but it is a matter of principle. Parliament has to function on traditions not dictation. PAC head will be from the opposition,” he added.

The opposition had earlier announced it won’t nominate members to standing committees if it was ‘robbed of its right’ to head the Public Accounts Committee.

A meeting to this effect took place Wednesday between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif.

The two agreed on a joint strategy to tackle the government’s bid to keep PAC under its domain and mutually agreed that the opposition parties won’t compromise on the issue.

Last week, the federal govt decided to appoint PAC chairman from the treasury benches whereas traditionally, this post has been held by the opposition.