Islamabad: Pakistan`s armed forces need
legal cover for raising funds for the victims of the
devastating floods that swept the country, a parliamentary
panel has said.
The Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly
or lower house of Parliament yesterday directed the Defence
Secretary to issue a notification to give legal status to the
Army Relief Fund established by the military for flood
victims.
A PAC meeting chaired by Leader of Opposition Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan issued the directive while reviewing audited
accounts of the Defence Ministry for 2008-09.
Khan said the army had been playing a vital role in
flood relief efforts but an audit of military accounts must be
conducted to ensure transparency in all public offices of the
country.
Members of the PAC also said that funds raised for the
flood victims by the military must be disbursed in a
transparent manner.
Khan said the Defence Ministry must adopt proper rules
and procedures for collecting funds for the relief and
rehabilitation of flood victims.
PTI
