Imran Khan loyalist withdraws resignation as PAC chief a day after stepping down

Just a day after stepping down from one of parliament’s most influential oversight roles, Junaid Akbar -- a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s main opposition party -- says he has withdrawn his resignation as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following instructions from party leadership.

Akbar, a close aide of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, had announced his resignation on Monday, telling reporters at Parliament House that while the PAC role was a trust bestowed upon him by Imran Khan, it held no personal significance.

Akbar was elected unopposed as chairman of the PAC in January this year.

“Positions are not important to me,” Akbar had said. “That is why I submitted my resignation to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan because Imran Khan’s instructions are what matter most to me.”

However, talking to Nuktatoday, Akbar confirmed that the party had asked him to continue in the role with the permission of the party founder. “I have withdrawn my resignation and will continue as PAC chairman,” he said.

Earlier, Aleema Khan, sister of Imran Khan, had also quoted her brother as saying that he had no objection to Akbar holding both the PAC and party posts, provided Akbar could manage both responsibilities.

The PAC plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency in public spending. It scrutinizes audit reports prepared by the auditor general of Pakistan and holds government departments accountable for financial irregularities.

While it can summon officials and recommend corrective action, it lacks the authority to impose penalties or pursue legal consequences directly. Its findings are submitted to the National Assembly, which may choose to act on the recommendations.