AGP briefs President, PM

ISLAMABAD—The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) gave a detailed briefing to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro here on Tuesday regarding the vision, strategies and road map for the reform programme to be accomplished within the next three years.
The President observed that auditing was a critically important function to which he had always accorded a very high priority and support adding that AGP played a key role in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in public sector management. He pointed out that during the last eight years the government appointed persons of impeccable credentials and unimpeachable integrity to the position of Auditor General and took necessary measures to ensure independence of this office as guaranteed in the constitution.
He particularly recalled the landmark decision taken in the year 2001 to separate the accounting and auditing functions, which had remained a fundamental anomaly since creation of Pakistan.
Introduction of a new accounting model, which has now been fully implemented by Federal and Provincial governments, was also mentioned by the President with the remarks that public audit adds value not merely by reporting irregularities but also by identifying lessons to be learnt and by disseminating good practices. In conclusion, the President urged that it was in our national interest to make Auditor General’s office stronger and more potent. Assuring all possible support to the said office for effectively and freely discharging its responsibilities, he urged them to utilize the latest technological advancements to further enhance its efficiency and performance.

—Agencies