ISLAMABAD, July 24, 2025 – A recent audit has raised serious concerns over financial irregularities in the National Assembly Secretariat’s privilege travel voucher scheme, revealing a discrepancy of Rs161 million in reported expenditures.
According to the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) report, the Secretariat issued Rs1.16 billion worth of travel vouchers to MNAs between 2021-22 and 2023-24. However, only Rs1 billion was officially recorded as reimbursed or encashed, leaving a gap of Rs161 million unaccounted for.
Audit Flags Weak Financial Controls
The AGP termed the lapse “irregular and unauthorised,” citing poor internal controls over financial reporting within the Secretariat. The report also noted that the Secretariat failed to reconcile the actual expenditure with the State Bank of Pakistan and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR), raising questions about transparency and accountability.
A Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meeting held on January 31, 2025, directed the National Assembly management to reconcile the figures and share the required documentation with audit authorities.
NA Secretariat Silent on Official Record
When asked for comment, the National Assembly Secretariat declined to issue an official statement. However, an insider told The News that reconciliation is ongoing but “time-consuming,” especially since most pending cases involve MNAs from Sindh and Balochistan.
The revelation has sparked fresh debate over financial governance in Pakistan’s legislative institutions, with demands for stricter oversight and improved transparency.
