PMIC remains headless over backlash fears

PM decides against appointing commission chief to avoid drawing opposition’s ire

ISLAMABAD: Fearing an opposition backlash at a time when the PML-N government is facing multiple challenges, Premier Nawaz Sharif has decided not to appoint the head of the PM office’s accountability arm— the Prime Minister Inspection Commission—owing to the controversies attached to the functioning of the office.

PMIC’s ex-chairman Ameer Muhammad Khan Marwat retired on November 14, 2016. But even after four months later, the position is still vacant and yet to be filled with a regular appointee.

The prime minister has decided against immediately appointing the new chairman given that the inspection commission has faced serious allegations of launching politically motivated inquiries against opposition members on the behest of the ruling lot, sources in the PM office shared with The Express Tribune.



“The gravity of the situation demands that the issue be put on backburner, for the time being at least,” a source said of the premier’s policy regarding the PMIC chief’s appointment.

“If, at this time, this kind of appointment is made, it would certainly not go down well with the opposition parties. Political parties like PTI and PPP need an issue to play up against the government.  The PM does not want to leave any room for opening up a new Pandora’s box when challenges are looming in the backdrop of the turn of events involving Panamagate,” he said.

Another government official said the PM Office has neither disbanded the PMIC nor has it gone for the appointment of the commission’s new chief. “This is a strange situation. On the one hand, there is PMIC staff comprising regular government officials, including the officers and support staff, who draw salaries and are entitled to related perks and privileges. On the other hand, the PMIC is dysfunctional simply because it is headless.”

This implies that the PM plans to do away with the PMIC and it would be made functional only at an ‘appropriate time,’ the source said adding that conditions were not favourable at the time.

PMIC members are appointed by the chairman on contractual bases, deputation or specified term and work at his disposal while the regular staff continues to enjoy the permanent status -- irrespective of the status of the commission’s working—whether it is functional or dysfunctional, he said.

Soon after Marwat’s retirement, the PM office considered several names—including those of PML-N MNAs –Daniyal Aziz and Talal Chaudhry – and senators – including Mushahidullah Khan and Ayesha Raza Farooq –for the chairman’s slot but no decision was made, officials said.



The names of some former judges, including Ahmad Farooq Sheikh and Khawaja Sharif, were also under consideration.

The decision on the PMIC’s appointment was deferred keeping in view that the Panamagate hit the limelight, with the related case landing in Supreme Court, officials said.

Despite repeated attempts, the PM’s spokesman Musadik Malik was not available for comment.

When contacted, PM’s Adviser Ameer Muqam termed the issue a routine affair. “It’s blown out of proportion. So many high-profile posts fall vacant and take a while to get filled. Nothing unusual about not appointing chairman PMIC,” he told The Express Tribune.

Asked if the non-appointment was linked to developments involving Panamagate, he said. “Panamagate surfaced in April last year and the chairman retired seven months later.

As per its mandate, the PMIC is supposed to keep a watchful eye on the functioning of federal ministries, divisions and related departments and works under the PM’s direct supervision.

The federal government allocated over Rs64 million for PMIC in the ongoing financial year.