Senate seeks audit of Rs2.6 trillion federal spend...

Summary

• The demand follows concerns about federal expenditure on subjects largely transferred to provincial governments under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
• He warned that the total expenditure under review could increase if spending by other federal ministries and institutions dealing with provincial subjects was included.
• The subcommittee emphasised that complete documentation was necessary to examine federal spending after the 18th Amendment and clarify the respective responsibilities of federal and provincial governments.

AI Generated Summary

ISLAMABAD: A Senate subcommittee has called for a detailed audit of approximately Rs2.6 trillion reportedly spent by the federal government on health and education over the past 16 years. The demand follows concerns about federal expenditure on subjects largely transferred to provincial governments under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Devolution asked the Auditor General of Pakistan to provide a complete record explaining how the funds were approved spent and audited. He warned that the total expenditure under review could increase if spending by other federal ministries and institutions dealing with provincial subjects was included.