Sargodha University workshop focuses on timely resolution of audit paras, regulatory compliance

SARGODHA, Aug 27 (APP):The University of Sargodha organised an “Audit Paras Resolution Workshop” on Thursday to train faculty and administrative staff in ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining complete documentary evidence and resolving audit objections within stipulated timelines, with a focus on strengthening financial discipline, transparency and accountability.

The workshop hosted by Human Resource Center was attended by deans, directors, chairpersons, heads of teaching and administrative departments, faculty and staff in large numbers.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masood Sarwar Awan, chief guest of the event, said compliance with applicable laws, rules and prescribed procedures was fundamental to institutional governance, financial discipline and transparency.

He said the university had embraced digitalisation and upgraded its record-management and procurement systems under a digital framework to strengthen transparency, monitoring and accountability.

The pro-vice chancellor stressed that all departments must strictly observe procurement rules, delegated financial powers, approval procedures, adding that audit objections should not be treated merely as post-event administrative matters but as indicators of weaknesses that needed to be addressed at their root.

In the first session, Director Procurement and Stores Prof. Dr. Irfan Shehzad briefed participants on “Understanding Audit Paras and Root Cause Analysis”. He explained the requirements of relevant regulatory frameworks, including PPRA, FBR, HEC and the University Financial Rules 2012, and discussed measures for ensuring regulatory compliance and financial discipline.

He said the university’s reorganisation in 2023 had been followed by measures including digital procurement, centralised authority and real-time audit trails, which had improved transparency and monitoring of procurement and record management.

Dr Shehzad stressed the adoption of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address existing weaknesses and prevent recurrence.

In the second session, Government of Pakistan Audit Officer Khurram Shehzad Gondal spoke on “Documentation & Evidence Management” and “Follow-up, Compliance & Audit Closure”.

He highlighted the importance of complete and accurate records in responding to audit paras, he said incomplete filing and missing evidence could hinder the timely resolution of audit objections, while digital records and secure audit trails could strengthen transparency and accountability.

He urged timely follow-up after the issuance of an audit para and said compliance with applicable PPRA, FBR and Auditor General of Punjab requirements was essential for effective audit closure.

Director HRDC, Amjad Hussain Janjua also addressed the participants.