Many state-run firms still headless

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Commerce has failed to appoint heads of several state-run companies in the wake of poor response from potential candidates.

In a recent briefing to the Cabinet Division, the commerce ministry said that positions of CEOs/MDs were vacant under different divisions.

Under the Commerce Division, the post of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited CEO had been advertised thrice – first on August 17, 2019, then on November 13, 2019 and then again on May 5, 2020 – but no suitable candidate applied, as told by the company board.

The post was re-advertised on June 23, 2021 and under the applicable rules and regulations, the board of directors recommended a panel of three candidates to the Commerce Division, which would be placed before the federal cabinet shortly.

Lahore Garment City Company, which also comes under the Commerce Division, has been removed from the list of public sector organisations requiring a regular CEO.

The decision was made during a meeting, chaired by the adviser to prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity in April 2021, which discussed making appointments on vacant positions of heads of public sector organisations.

The Articles of Association of Lahore Garment City allows the board to appoint the CEO from amongst its members or from the market.

In 2017, the board appointed one of its members, Dr Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad Mangat, as the CEO on a non-remuneration basis and as per the fit and proper criteria under the Public Sector Companies (Appointment of Chief Executive) Guidelines 2015.

Since its inception, the garment city has been functioning without a regular CEO because of small size of the company and the emoluments required for the chief executive.

Faisalabad Garment City Company has been functioning too without a regular CEO since its inception. It is due to small size of the company and financial constraints.

The company’s board, on the directives of federal cabinet, advertised the post twice on February 21, 2021 and May 30, 2021. However, according to the board, no suitable candidate applied.

The post was advertised for the third time on October 11, 2021. Under this process, applications have been received and the company is shortlisting the applicants.

Separately, the federal cabinet, in its decision dated September 28, 2021, approved the merger of Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). Now, the appointment on the post of PHDEC CEO will be processed by TDAP.

The post of Textile Commissioner’s Organisation has been vacant since 2011. It is to be filled by promotion as per SRO 631(1)/2002 of director (textile), which is not available.

Owing to this, the Establishment Division has been requested to post a suitable officer in terms of provisions of “appointment by transfer”, as defined in the SRO regarding method, qualifications and other conditions.

The post of Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI) director is currently vacant. As per PCSI Service Rules 1995, there are three ways of appointing the director in the order of priority, which are promotion, initial appointment and deputation.

The Establishment Division has been requested to post a BS-20 officer as the PCSI director on deputation.

Under the Information and Broadcasting Division, the post of Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) chairman has been vacant since April 18, 2019.

A BS-20 officer of the Information Group is looking after the affairs as the PCP registrar. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has repeatedly submitted a summary but the appointment of the chairman could not be finalised.

In light of the input received from the Establishment Division, the advertisement for the appointment of the chairman was published in newspapers on October 17, 2021.

However, due to poor response, the closing date of applications was extended from November 1 to November 12, 2021.

Similarly, the post of Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees (ITNE) chairman has been vacant since March 2021. A summary for making the appointment was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office on September 6, 2021 through the Establishment Division.

In light of the input received from the Establishment Division, the advertisement for the appointment of ITNE chairman was published in newspapers on October 17, 2021 and the closing date was November 1, 2021.

However, the deadline was extended to November 12 due to poor response.

The post of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) director general has been vacant since February 24, 2020. A BS-20 officer of the Information Group has been looking after the day-to-day work of the director general with effect from June 18, 2021.

Rules for the appointment of PBC DG have been amended to accommodate an MP-II scale officer. The federal cabinet has approved the rules and criteria proposed in a summary. The post will be advertised in coming weeks.

Separately, the post of National Press Trust (NPT) chairman has been vacant since September 6, 2011.·The director general, an officer of the Information Group, has the additional charge of chairman since 2019, though the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has moved a summary several times.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2021.

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