Islamabad:In a significant administrative development, the Office of the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has officially issued notifications regarding the promotion and transfer of Grade-18 officers of the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service (PA&AS). A total of 28 officers have been promoted to Grade-19 and assigned new roles in various audit and finance-related institutions across Pakistan.
This large-scale reshuffling is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen institutional performance, improve governance, and bring in experienced leadership in key departments involved in public accountability and financial oversight.
Background: The Role of Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service
The Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service plays a crucial role in the country’s public sector financial management. It is responsible for:
- Auditing federal and provincial government departments
- Ensuring transparency in financial transactions
- Preparing budget reports
- Conducting performance and compliance audits
- Advising on fiscal discipline
Under the umbrella of the Auditor General of Pakistan, officers of the PA&AS are tasked with maintaining financial integrity in both civil and military departments of the state. Promotions within this elite cadre follow a strict merit-based evaluation, involving service history, performance reviews, and availability of positions.
Major Promotions to Grade-19: A New Era of Accountability
According to the latest notification from the AGP headquarters, the following Grade-18 officers have been promoted to Grade-19 and entrusted with critical leadership roles:
🔹 Khadim Hussain
Promoted and posted as Director General (DG) Commercial Audit, Karachi. His role will involve auditing commercial entities and ensuring transparency in corporate public sector operations in Sindh’s capital.
🔹 Mubashir Mahmood
Appointed as Director FAO (Financial Accountability Office) at AGP Headquarters, Islamabad. He will assist in internal performance reviews and strategic policy implementation.
🔹 Mansoor Ali Sial
Posted as Director in the Deputy Auditor General Office, Karachi. This office handles audit operations for southern regional departments.
🔹 Muhammad Saleem
Promoted to DG and assigned to Commercial Audit Islamabad, where he will oversee the review of government-affiliated commercial organizations.
Further Promotions and Strategic Postings
🔸 Rizwan Razak Qureshi
Posted as Director, DG Audit Petroleum and Natural Resources, Karachi – a sensitive role considering the strategic importance of energy resource oversight.
🔸 Ayaz Ali
Promoted to Director, DG Commercial Audit Karachi. Will oversee financial scrutiny of revenue-generating public enterprises.
🔸 Muhammad Ishaq
Assigned to the Military Accounts Training Institute, Rawalpindi as Director – a crucial role in training military audit professionals.
🔸 Imran Akhtar
Posted as Controller, Military Accounts Pension, Lahore. This role ensures transparent processing of pensions and benefits for retired military personnel.
🔸 Shafiq Rehman
Previously serving in the Balochistan Finance Department, he has been promoted and posted as Regional Director Audit, Local Government Dera Ismail Khan.
Regional Directors and Local Government Oversight Appointments
The notification includes strategic deployments in regional audit offices to enhance grassroots governance and improve financial oversight of municipal and district governments.
Appointed Regional Directors and Directors:
- Muhammad Mustafa Abro – Director, DG Audit Local Government, Punjab (Multan)
- Faheem Akhtar – Regional Director, Local Government (Gujranwala)
- Moin Iqbal – Director, Auditor General Office, Islamabad
- Fahad Hussain Korai – Director, DG Audit Local Government (Karachi)
- Khurram Aziz – Director, DG Audit Inland Revenue & Customs (Lahore)
- Zainul Abideen – Director, DG Audit Federal Government Sub-Office (Peshawar)
These appointments are crucial in streamlining the accountability mechanisms in provincial and local bodies, particularly in areas prone to financial mismanagement and weak institutional capacity.
Appointments in Specialized Divisions
Some officers have been placed in highly specialized or sensitive audit divisions, reflecting the need for experienced professionals in key sectors:
- Atiqur Rahman – General Manager Audit, KRL (Kahuta Research Laboratories), Rawalpindi
- Areej Rabbani – Director, DG Audit Climate Change (Islamabad)
- Ikram Rauf – Director, DG Audit Federal Government (Islamabad)
- Muhammad Ismail Khan – Director, AGP Office
These postings ensure the alignment of audit practices with emerging challenges, such as climate accountability, nuclear sector audits, and federal program evaluation.
Postings in Critical Infrastructure and Defense Sectors
Further postings indicate a focus on audit reforms in key infrastructure and defense-related departments:
- Humayun Ehsan – Director, DG Audit Power (Lahore)
- Babar Khan – Director, DG Audit Inland Revenue (Karachi)
- Pirzada – Regional Director Audit, Local Government (Mardan)
- Bilal Maqbool – Director, Finance & Budget, Ministry of Railways (Islamabad)
These appointments are particularly important considering rising public concern over infrastructure spending, defense procurement, and railways modernization.
New Faces in Audit Works, Defense and Petroleum Divisions
Several Grade-18 officers were promoted and posted in sector-specific audit roles:
- Aitzaz Ahmed – Director, AGP Office Headquarters
- Abid Khan – Director, DG Audit Works (Balochistan, Quetta)
- Imran Abbas – Director, DG Audit Defense Services (Rawalpindi)
- Najeebullah Khan – Director, DG Audit Petroleum (Lahore)
- Princess Amara Jabeen Younis – Director, DG Audit Defense Services (Rawalpindi)
These appointments underscore the government’s intent to tighten audit controls in high-value sectors, including defense contracts, petroleum subsidies, and public works projects.
Administrative Importance of the Move
The promotion and deployment of these officers comes at a time when Pakistan faces:
- Rising concerns over public sector financial mismanagement
- Growing debt levels and fiscal deficit
- Demands from international institutions like the IMF for improved financial governance
- Citizens’ increasing calls for accountability and transparency
By promoting and placing experienced officers in leadership roles, the AGP seeks to rebuild public trust, ensure compliance with international audit standards, and enhance institutional credibility.
Separate Notifications Issued for Each Officer
The AGP Office confirmed that individual notifications were issued to ensure transparency and proper documentation. Each notification outlines the:
- Name of the officer
- New designation and department
- Responsibilities associated with the new role
This practice aligns with the Establishment Division’s SOPs and ensures seamless transition across departments.
Conclusion: A Strategic Step Toward Institutional Strengthening
The recent wave of promotions and transfers in the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service represents a strategic shift in the federal government’s approach toward fiscal governance and audit integrity. As these Grade-18 officers step into their new Grade-19 responsibilities, they are expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Pakistan’s public financial management systems.
Their performance will not only be crucial for internal governance reforms but also for improving Pakistan’s image globally, especially among donor agencies, financial watchdogs, and international partners.
