Regarding the audit report submitted to the Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Interior concerning the Punjab Police, a spokesperson for the Punjab Police stated that it is standard procedure to submit the audit reports of all Punjab government institutions, including the police department, to the relevant committee of the Punjab Assembly every year.
The spokesperson clarified that each year, the committee reviews these audit reports. All departments, including the police, provide detailed responses to any objections raised in the audit reports to the concerned committee. While procedural defects in procurement by the Punjab Police may occur, the perception of financial irregularities is unfounded.
The Punjab Police has submitted all necessary documentary evidence and records to the appropriate forum for procurement within their respective areas. The spokesperson further explained that the Punjab Police has presented a detailed reply, based on solid facts, to the audit reports in the concerned committee. They will provide comprehensive answers and departmental positions on the audit objections during the committee meeting. If these answers and documentary records are found satisfactory, the respective accounts committees will formally enter the objections in their records.
Notably, the Punjab Police is the only department with a comprehensive internal audit system. The Government of Punjab has appointed a Director of Audit in the Police Department, and range auditors conduct internal audits of all formations on a half-yearly basis. The reports generated by these auditors are regularly monitored by the Additional IG Finance.
(Handout No. 1080)
Syed Mubasher Hussain
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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