AGP in trouble over ‘unauthorised’ salary increase

ISLAMABAD: Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Buland Akhtar Rana is finding it difficult to justify increase in his salary and privileges before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly. If the matter is not resolved Mr Rana may land in trouble, according to a PAC member. The PAC has taken notice of what the committee has said unauthorised increase in Mr Rana’s salary and is presently carrying out an investigation into the issue. A PAC sub-committee headed by Mohammad Junaid A. Chaudhry of the PML-N, which is looking into the matter, has so far gathered enough evidence to put Mr Rana in a tight spot, according to sources. Another PAC member with access to the evidence has suggested that it will be difficult for the committee to let Mr Rana off the hook. In addition to his salary the AGP is drawing over Rs100,000 per month under the government’s transport monetisation policy. However, he is also using an official vehicle driven by a government employee. Under the government rules, after taking oath as AGP Mr Rana is no longer a civil servant. His is a constitutional position, according to the PAC member. The sub-committee which met on Tuesday sought written responses from the ministries of finance and law, establishment division, Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) and Controller General of Accounts (CGA) to determine which department(s) played a role in allowing the AGP to get away with unauthorised payments. The committee will meet again on next Tuesday. A PAC member said the finance ministry had stopped Mr Rana from withdrawing additional salary, but he managed to get it through the CGA and AGPR. An official of the National Assembly Secretariat explained that if the charge of misusing his position was proved against Mr Rana, the PAC would present a report before the house. If approved by the National Assembly, the government may use the report against the AGP. Because Mr Rana holds a constitutional post, he can only be removed by invoking Article 209 of the Constitution through Supreme Judicial Council. Back in August 2011 then president Asif Ali Zardari came to the rescue of Mr Rana when his appointment as the AGP was challenged on the basis of his dual nationality and an alleged case of sexual harassment. Mr Rana is a fully naturalised Canadian citizen. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who was then chairman of the PAC, raised the issue when former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appointed Mr Rana as AGP. As a result, former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry refused to administer oath to Mr Rana, instead seeking clarification from the presidency as final appointing authority. Mr Zardari had to issue an official notification, explaining that a dual national could hold the position of AGP. Mr Rana has also been duly exonerated from harassment charges.