Accountability Reform

Key Points

1. Flawed Accountability System – Multiple accountability institutions exist, but their effectiveness is undermined by politicization, lack of professionalism, and weak oversight.
2. NAB’s Role & Impact – Instead of curbing corruption, NAB has paralyzed decision-making and hindered governance, necessitating a cost-benefit analysis for restructuring.
3. Weak Oversight by PACs – Public Accounts Committees (PACs), meant to ensure financial accountability, remain ineffective due to political bias, outdated processes, and lack of enforcement power.
4. Delayed Audit Reports – AGP reports face long delays in review by PACs, ranging from 10 to 28 years across different assemblies, rendering oversight meaningless.
5. Need for Comprehensive Reform – Strengthening PACs, AGP, and CGA through modernization, better legal authority, and improved auditing standards is critical for real accountability.

Summary

Pakistan’s accountability system is deeply flawed, with multiple oversight institutions failing due to political interference and outdated processes. NAB, instead of reducing corruption, has hampered governance. PACs, responsible for financial oversight, are ineffective due to delays and lack of enforcement power, making accountability weak. Reforms in PACs, AGP, and CGA are essential to ensure transparency, efficiency, and better governance outcomes.