Major General Irfan Ahmad Malik, Director General of Military Lands and Cantonments, has unveiled a new Internal Audit Framework for Cantonment Boards across the country. This initiative is designed to boost transparency, accountability, and operational excellence.
According to a press release, while external audits are already conducted by the Directorate General Audit Defence Services (ADS), there was a long-felt need for an internal system to ensure that corrective actions are taken promptly and to reduce the number of audit observations during external reviews.
The newly established system has clear goals: to achieve transparency and uniformity in auditing practices, ensure accountability at all levels of field offices, and enable preventive and remedial action to identify irregularities at the earliest stage.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), developed by Director Headquarters Dr. Saima Shah, has been created to provide a clear and fair process for conducting inspection audits. This initiative standardizes practices across all boards, ensures compliance, and creates a strong foundation for proactive governance. The reform highlights the institution’s dedication to strengthening internal checks.
This framework is not just a set of guidelines; it is a commitment to building trust, ensuring financial discipline, and delivering impactful results at the local level. The Internal Audit Framework is primarily preventive, remedial, and corrective in nature. By identifying and addressing omissions, irregularities, or illegalities early on, the system stops unwarranted practices before they can escalate. This strengthens the financial systems of the cantonment boards, ensuring optimal output through adherence to rules and procedures. The Military Lands and Cantonments Department confirms that this initiative will not only streamline audit processes but also enhance the overall credibility and performance of cantonment boards, reinforcing their role in service delivery and good governance.
