PAC body seeks report on skill development co’s collapse

Sub-committee member Munaza says there is nepotism in company

ISLAMABAD:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sub-committee has sought an inquiry report from the Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company acting CEO on appointing relatives of the officers working in the company and its collapse.

A meeting of the sub-committee held at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Convener Riaz Fatyana on Tuesday settled the various audit paras of Technology Upgradation and Technical Development Company, State Engineering Corporation Limited, Heavy Electrical Complex Private Limited and Pakistan Engineering Company Limited.

The committee was informed that the Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company, which was formed in 2004, incurred a loss of Rs149 million in 2019.

The committee expressed concern over the company's continued loss.

The industries and production secretary turned out to be unaware of the catastrophic state of the company.

On questioning, member Munaza Hassan was told that the company had not received any new projects for many years, to which she said that there was nepotism in the company.

Munaza raised the issue that Nabeel Asghar, the director projects and operations, and his wife Sadia Nabeel have held more than one position in the company for the last 12 years.

“Relatives instead of experts were appointed to key positions that led to the collapse of the company, which is now being privatised,” she said.

The acting CEO of the company assured the committee that he would take notice of the matter and inform the committee.

Munaza also raised the issue of non-receipt of salaries by the workers.

The meeting also reviewed in detail the various audit paras of the Ministry of Industries and Production for the financial years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.