ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan has started an inquiry into the appointments made during 2010-11 to 2014-15 in the Karachi Port Trust. An inquiry into the matter is also underway in the ministry of port and shipping.
There were 1450 appointments made against various posts in the Karachi Port Trust in scales 1 to 8 and Basic Scales 09 to 19. The Auditor General has sought the record of the appointments from Karachi Port Trust. The management of the KPT has provided the list of appointments however the record of the recruitment of the employees is not being providing to the auditor general despites repeated requests.
The Auditor General has held that non-production of record is violation of the Auditor General’s Ordinance. In the absence of record, audit could not be conducted whether the appointments were made in accordance with the rules.
Section 14 of the Auditor General’s Functions, powers and terms and conditions of Service Ordinance-2001 states that the officer or in-charge of any office or department can get the record of anything required for audit inspection. Any person or authority hindering the functions of the auditor general regarding the inspection of accounts shall be subject to disciplinary action under the relevant Efficiency and Discipline Rules applicable to such person. The Auditor General has reported the factual position to the Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the chairman KPT. Minister of Maritime Mir Hazar Khan Bazenjo has directed that the inquiry report should be finalized and actions taken in the light of the findings and responsibility should be fixed for hindering.
