ISLAMABAD — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday sharply criticized the Ministry of National Food Security for a series of financial and administrative irregularities, particularly within the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The committee focused on mismanagement, illegal appointments, and audit discrepancies that have gone unaddressed.
Chaired by MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, the PAC took Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry to task for attending the session unprepared. A major point of contention was the PCCC’s failure to recover Rs3.44 billion in cotton cess from textile mills—a lapse that has persisted despite earlier notices. Mr. Chaudhry assured the committee that the funds would be recovered within three months.
Committee members, including MNA Malik Amir Dogar, expressed frustration over the prolonged decline of the cotton industry and questioned the effectiveness of existing reforms, pointing out that the PCCC had been dysfunctional for over 15 years.
In response, the secretary explained that the PCCC is in the process of being merged with PARC as part of broader institutional restructuring.
Further scrutiny revealed that 155 temporary employees were hired illegally by the PCCC, without Finance Division approval. Although Mr. Chaudhry confirmed that these appointments had been terminated, the PAC remained unsatisfied and ordered a detailed inquiry report within 15 days.
Committee member Syed Hussain Tariq noted that frequent changes in ministry leadership were undermining governance and policy continuity.
The session grew tense as PAC members rejected the secretary’s explanations regarding illegal hiring practices at PARC. Audit officials revealed that while 164 positions had been advertised, 332 individuals were ultimately hired—most from just three districts, raising serious concerns about nepotism. PAC members claimed to possess lists linking many of the appointees to high-ranking current and former PARC officials.
MNA Shazia Marri described the nepotism allegations as “deeply troubling,” while Chairman Junaid Akbar questioned the absence of PARC’s permanent chairman, who is reportedly on a three-month leave, leaving the acting chairman to respond to inquiries.
The committee ordered a full redo of PARC’s hiring process and called for a comprehensive performance audit. Additionally, members requested detailed records of PARC’s vehicle fleet and its usage.
