As part of its ongoing efforts to harness technology for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in governance, Accountability Lab organized a significant study visit today for members and officials of the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan.

The delegation, led by Mr. Ahmad Iqbal Ch., Chairman of PAC-III Punjab, included notable members such as Mr. Ali Haider Gillani, Chairman PAC-II Punjab, Mr. Shahbaz Ahmad, Member PAC-I Punjab, Mr. Usama Khawar Ghumman, Advisor to Speaker on Parliamentary Development and Special Initiatives, Mr. Khalil Ahmad Malik, Additional Secretary PAC Punjab, Mr. Adnan Riaz, Deputy Secretary PACs Punjab, Mr. Ataullah Awais Anjum, Director PDU, and Mr. Asif Farooqui, Director Programs at Accountability Lab.

The delegation was warmly received at the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan by Mr. Asghar Ali Tareen, Chairman PAC Balochistan, along with other esteemed members of the PAC Balochistan including Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Minister Public Health Engineering and Mir Shoaib Nusherwani, Minister of Finance.

During the visit, Mr. Ahmad Iqbal praised the PAC Balochistan for its groundbreaking achievement in digitizing the PAC’s operations through the Management Information System (MIS). He emphasized that this advancement is a key milestone for fiscal oversight and public finance governance in Balochistan, offering valuable lessons for the PACs in Punjab.

“The automation of PAC functions in Balochistan sets a remarkable example, particularly for a province often perceived as resource-constrained. Observing how digitization has bolstered transparency and governance here is both inspiring and instructive for us,” said Mr. Ali Haider Gilani, Chairman PAC-II Punjab. He further reiterated that the strategic priority of the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Mr. Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, is to prioritize the digitization of the assembly’s processes and business of the committees to enhance governance in Punjab.

The delegation was also provided with a detailed briefing on the functions and impact of PACIS, which the Accountability Lab developed with assistance from World Bank. This visit is critical to strengthen inter-provincial collaboration, share experiences, and enhance the efficiency of public offices through the integration of technology, said Asif Farooqui, Director of Programs, Accountability Lab.

Chairman PAC Balochistan, Mr. Asghar Ali Tareen offered the PACIS to the Punjab Assembly and assured of PAC Balochistan’s complete cooperation and continued exchange of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives for strengthening fiscal oversight and accountability across Pakistan.

The “Strengthening Institutional Capacity of PAC Balochistan” project, supported by the Governance and Policy Project of the World Bank, was implemented by the Accountability Lab to enhance the operational efficiency of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Balochistan. The project aimed to fully automate PAC’s processes, including hearings, reviews, monitoring, recoveries, and reporting.

As part of this initiative, the Accountability Lab implemented a comprehensive capacity-building and reform framework. PAC members and officials underwent extensive training, participated in knowledge exchange programs, and engaged in research to identify and address gaps in the current rules of business. A tailored Management Information System (MIS) was developed to streamline these processes, supported by a public engagement campaign designed to foster a culture of citizen-led accountability in Balochistan, thereby bridging the trust gap between state institutions and the public.

Over the course of the project, PAC members and officials benefited from hands-on training and knowledge-sharing programs. This led to the implementation of key reforms and best practices, significantly enhancing the efficiency of the PAC and reducing the time required to process audit paras.

The newly developed MIS has revolutionized PAC operations by automating monitoring, reporting, compliance, and recovery processes. The system provides real-time access to relevant departments, minimizing human intervention and expediting communication, case tracking, and reporting without delays. The transition to an automated environment has improved interdepartmental coordination and monitoring and supports a paperless, eco-friendly approach in Balochistan’s public sector.

About the Author: Asif Farooqui is the Director of Programs at the Accountability Lab Pakistan, and can be reached at asif@accountabilitylab.org