ISLAMABAD: Four members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) became ministers in Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi`s cabinet on Friday.

The four PAC members Mohammad Pervaiz Malik, Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry, Arshad Khan Leghari and Dr Darshan have been part of the committee since 2013.

Mr Malik was elected from NA-123 (Lahore), Mr Chaudhry from NA-93 (Toba Tek Singh) and Mr Leghari from NA-197(Rahim Yar Khan), while Dr Darshan holds a reserved seat for religious minorities.

Dr Darshan is also the only non-Muslim member of the 30-member PAC.

The committee, headed by Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, consists of almost all the major parliamentary parties in both houses.

The PAC examines audit reports of federal ministries, divisions, corporations and autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies. It can also examine the expenditures, administration, delegated legislation, public petitions and policies of a ministry andits associated public bodies, and may forward its own report, containing findings and recommendations, to that ministry.

There were 12 lawmakers, 11 MNAs and a senator, from the PML-N in the PAC.

Before February 2017, the PAC consisted of 23 MNAs and the finance minister, whowas an ex-officio member of the committee. However, after a legal amendment to give the Senate representation in the PAC, six senators joined the committee, thereby increasing the number of its members to 30.

After Friday`s reshuffle, the PAC is left with 26 members, of which eight are from the governing party.

Mr Malik became federal minister for commerce, while his three colleagues were sworn in as state ministers.

Mr Chaudhry was given the portfolio for state minister for communications, Mr Leghari was appointed state minister for industries and production and Dr Darshan became state minister for interprovincial coordination.

The members were also confused about whether or not they could attend the upcoming PAC meetings starting Aug 8.

According to the PAC schedule, the com-mittee was supposed to scrutinise audit reports of the ministries of religious affairs, national food security, petroleum and natural resources, water and power, communication, commerce and the cabinet division this month.

Dr Darshad said he did not know whether he was supposed to formally quit the committee or if he would be de-notified, while Mr Leghari was of the view that the party `may nominate suitable lawmakers as their replacement`.

When asked this question, Mr Chaudhry did not respond.

A former auditor general of Pakistan, however, said the National Assembly speaker would have to de-notify these members and forward their replacements to the PAC chairman. However, he said there is no time limit, as the PAC can perform its mandatory functions even in the absence of these members.