NAB initiates probe into staff appointments in OGDC
Company official defends hiring, saying all appointments have been made on merit
OGDC official pointed out that 350 appointments were made on merit in the company PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated probe into appointments of employees in Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) following a complaint lodged by a former president of the employees association, who was also allegedly involved in a multimillion-rupee fraud.
An OGDC official said OGDC Employees Union Association former president Chaudhry Muhammad Akram had lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption watchdog after he was found guilty of misappropriating funds and was directed to repay Rs10 million.
As a trustee of the trust fund, Akram drew Rs50 million to pay workers and misappropriated some of the funds. The matter was taken up by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources.
The OGDC management also initiated formal disciplinary proceedings on the basis of a fact-finding inquiry. As the trustee, Akram was held responsible for embezzlement of more than Rs10 million and orders were issued for the recovery of money. Apart from this, Akram was demoted to a two-step lower position.
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Details of disciplinary proceedings against Akram and his accomplices have been forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for initiation of criminal proceedings.
Defending the appointment of employees, the OGDC official pointed out that 350 appointments were made on merit in the company as hiring in the office cadre could not be made without publishing advertisements and making an assessment.
All appointments at the entry level were made on the basis of examination and assessment conducted by a third party - the National Testing Services (NTS), he said.
He argued that the company was in dire need of engineers and technical professionals as the positions had been vacant for years and resultantly the core technical pool was depleting.
About the appointment of Zahir Mir as chief operating officer (COO), the official said the post was advertised on February 5, 2015.
The Human Resource Committee of the OGDC board of directors conducted interviews of the candidates, including Mir, who was among senior management in a multinational company.
The committee recommended his appointment as the COO, which was approved by the board, he said.
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The position of MD/CEO was advertised in local and international media on three occasions and the shortlisting of candidates and their interview was completed. Later, names of shortlisted candidates were forwarded to the federal government for final selection.
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“One of them was selected for the position and the appointment was notified, but the incumbent did not accept the offer. The position has again been advertised and shortlisting and evaluation process is under way,” he said. “This record will be provided to NAB following an inquiry into the appointments.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2018.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated probe into appointments of employees in Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) following a complaint lodged by a former president of the employees association, who was also allegedly involved in a multimillion-rupee fraud.
An OGDC official said OGDC Employees Union Association former president Chaudhry Muhammad Akram had lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption watchdog after he was found guilty of misappropriating funds and was directed to repay Rs10 million.
As a trustee of the trust fund, Akram drew Rs50 million to pay workers and misappropriated some of the funds. The matter was taken up by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources.
The OGDC management also initiated formal disciplinary proceedings on the basis of a fact-finding inquiry. As the trustee, Akram was held responsible for embezzlement of more than Rs10 million and orders were issued for the recovery of money. Apart from this, Akram was demoted to a two-step lower position.
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Details of disciplinary proceedings against Akram and his accomplices have been forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for initiation of criminal proceedings.
Defending the appointment of employees, the OGDC official pointed out that 350 appointments were made on merit in the company as hiring in the office cadre could not be made without publishing advertisements and making an assessment.
All appointments at the entry level were made on the basis of examination and assessment conducted by a third party - the National Testing Services (NTS), he said.
He argued that the company was in dire need of engineers and technical professionals as the positions had been vacant for years and resultantly the core technical pool was depleting.
About the appointment of Zahir Mir as chief operating officer (COO), the official said the post was advertised on February 5, 2015.
The Human Resource Committee of the OGDC board of directors conducted interviews of the candidates, including Mir, who was among senior management in a multinational company.
The committee recommended his appointment as the COO, which was approved by the board, he said.
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The position of MD/CEO was advertised in local and international media on three occasions and the shortlisting of candidates and their interview was completed. Later, names of shortlisted candidates were forwarded to the federal government for final selection.
Market watch: KSE-100 loses 390 points as OGDC selling takes centre stage
“One of them was selected for the position and the appointment was notified, but the incumbent did not accept the offer. The position has again been advertised and shortlisting and evaluation process is under way,” he said. “This record will be provided to NAB following an inquiry into the appointments.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2018.