By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Maqbool Ahmed Gondal was sworn in today as the new Auditor General of Pakistan. His professional career spans over three decades, marked by reforms, modernization, and transparency in the country’s financial system.
During his service, Gondal introduced genuine innovation in public financial management through his vision and leadership. He successfully implemented the Micro Payment Gateway, enabling the electronic transfer of over Rs200 billion in funds at federal and provincial levels. He also spearheaded the development of work modules for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) and the launch of the SEHAL billing system, which made government payments more transparent and efficient, reducing processing time by up to 50 percent.
His initiatives allowed for real-time monitoring of annual expenditures exceeding Rs7.5 trillion, bringing significant improvement in financial discipline and governance.
Gondal further aligned audit and finance systems with modern technological standards by introducing an AI-based Audit Management System and providing IPSAS training to over 800 auditors to meet international benchmarks.
As Managing Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), he launched the Electronic Procurement and Disposal System (EPADS), setting new standards of transparency in government procurement and asset disposal.
Internationally, he represented Pakistan in financial reform forums, leading audits for UNIDO and the OPCW, enhancing Pakistan’s reputation in global financial governance.
Academically, Gondal holds a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Manchester, UK, and an MPhil in Physics from Quaid-e-Azam University. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (USA) and a Fellow Member of the Pakistan Institute of Public Financial Accountants (PIPFA).
Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served as Accountant General in Punjab and Sindh, and as Auditor General in various federal departments, including the audit of donor-funded projects.
His services are widely recognized as a symbol of transparency, trust, and modernization in Pakistan’s financial architecture.
