Islamabad, April 30, 2025: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed strong disapproval over administrative and financial irregularities in the Ministry of National Food Security and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), particularly highlighting hundreds of unlawful appointments. The committee also reprimanded the Secretary for Food Security for appearing unprepared.
The issue came to the forefront during a PAC session where MNA Shazia Marri criticized the Secretary’s repeated requests for delays in addressing audit paras. “At the very least, you should come prepared to show that you take this forum seriously,” she said. PAC Chairman MNA Junaid Akbar echoed her frustration, stating, “You were expected to provide answers today. If you’re not ready, why are you here? This is a waste of public resources—who will be held accountable?”
Due to the insufficient briefing, the committee granted the Secretary a one-month extension to submit detailed responses.
Serious concerns were also raised regarding 332 allegedly illegal appointments at PARC. Audit officials revealed that while only 164 positions had been advertised, 332 individuals were hired in violation of recruitment protocols.
In the absence of PARC Chairman Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali—who is reportedly on a three-month leave—the Acting Chairman appeared before the committee. However, PAC members alleged that Dr. Ali was being shielded from accountability. “The chairman has been sidelined to protect him from scrutiny,” said MNA Aamir Dogar.
The committee also flagged violations of provincial and regional hiring quotas, noting that the bulk of appointments originated from just three districts. “Where are the opportunities for deserving candidates from other parts of the country?” asked Marri.
Further discrepancies emerged when audit officials stated that no domicile certificates were submitted for the appointees. While the Acting Chairman claimed that 206 of the hires were scientists recruited on merit, the committee questioned the transparency of the process.
In response to the allegations, PAC discussed referring Dr. Ali’s case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for formal investigation. Chairman Akbar confirmed that Dr. Ali has been summoned to appear before the committee on May 6. “If he fails to justify the appointments, the case will be sent to NAB,” he warned.
MNA Junaid Akbar further alleged that the list of appointees includes relatives of a federal minister and the PARC Chairman. “I know exactly which family members were hired,” he said.
MNA Hussain Tariq added that another 250 appointments are currently in process, calling for immediate scrutiny of ongoing recruitment.
In a notable admission, the Secretary for Food Security acknowledged that irregular appointments had taken place. The PAC has demanded official documentation of the PARC Chairman’s leave and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and merit-based hiring in public sector organizations.
