QUETTA: As part of its ongoing efforts to harness technology for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in governance, Accountability Lab organized a significant study visit today for members and officials of the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan.
The delegation, led by Mr. Ahmad Iqbal Ch., Chairman of PAC-III Punjab, included members such as Mr. Ali Haider Gillani, Chairman PAC-II Punjab; Mr. Shahbaz Ahmad, Member PAC-I Punjab; Mr. Usama Khawar Ghumman, Advisor to Speaker on Parliamentary Development and Special Initiatives; Mr. Khalil Ahmad Malik, Additional Secretary PAC Punjab; Mr. Adnan Riaz, Deputy Secretary PACs Punjab; Mr. Ataullah Awais Anjum, Director PDU; and Mr. Asif Farooqui, Director Programs at Accountability Lab.
The delegation was warmly received at the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan by Mr. Asghar Ali Tareen, Chairman PAC Balochistan, along with other members of the PAC Balochistan, including Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Minister of Public Health Engineering, and Mir Shoaib Nusherwani, Minister of Finance.
During the visit, Mr. Ahmad Iqbal praised the PAC Balochistan for its groundbreaking achievement in digitizing the PAC’s operations through the Management Information System (MIS). He emphasized that this advancement is a key milestone for fiscal oversight and public finance governance in Balochistan, offering valuable lessons for the PACs in Punjab.
“The automation of PAC functions in Balochistan sets a remarkable example, particularly for a province often perceived as resource-constrained. Observing how digitization has bolstered transparency and governance here is both inspiring and instructive for us,” said Mr. Ali Haider Gilani, Chairman PAC-II Punjab. He further reiterated that the strategic priority of the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Mr. Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, is to prioritize the digitization of the assembly’s processes and the business of the committees to enhance governance in Punjab.
The delegation was also provided with a detailed briefing on the functions and impact of PACIS, which the Accountability Lab developed with assistance from the World Bank. This visit is critical to strengthen inter-provincial collaboration, share experiences, and enhance the efficiency of public offices through the integration of technology, said Asif Farooqui, Director of Programs, Accountability Lab.
Chairman PAC Balochistan, Mr. Asghar Ali Tareen, offered the PACIS to the Punjab Assembly and assured the PAC Balochistan’s complete cooperation and continued exchange of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives for strengthening fiscal oversight and accountability across Pakistan.