The government has issued directives to scrap the process of appointing managing director of Kissan Support Services (Pvt) Limited due to what it believes a tailor-made advertisement.
Kissan Support Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as a public sector company.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the Finance Division tabled a summary before the cabinet on January 18, which contained a panel of three potential candidates for appointment as managing director/ chief executive officer of Kissan Support Services.
During discussion, cabinet members noted that the eligibility criteria in the advertisement was flawed and seemed to be tailor-made, particularly the minimum age and experience.
They emphasised that the position should be re-advertised after addressing the shortcomings.
The Finance Division apprised the cabinet that the position of Kissan Support Services’ MD/CEO became vacant on November 27, 2021 following the expiry of three-year tenure of Brigadier (R) Zaheeruddin Ahmad. Accordingly, the process of appointing his successor was initiated.
The position was advertised by the company in daily newspapers on October 22, 2021 in line with the provisions of Public Sector Companies (Appointment of Chief Executive) Guidelines, 2015.
As per Section 5(2) of the Public Sector Companies Corporate Governance Rules, 2013, the board should evaluate the candidates based on the fit and proper criteria and the guidelines specified by the commission for the appointment of a chief executive.
It recommends at least three candidates to the government for its concurrence for the appointment of one of them as the chief executive of a public sector company, except where the chief executive is nominated by the government.
On receiving concurrence or nomination of the government, as the case may be, the board should appoint the chief executive in accordance with provisions of the ordinance.
The board should also be responsible for the development and succession planning of the chief executive.
Kissan Support Services’ board of directors, in its 65th meeting held on December 14, 2021, evaluated the candidates as per Para 4(1) of the Public Sector Companies (Appointment of Chief Executive) Guidelines 2015 and unanimously recommended three candidates in the order of merit to the Finance Division for appointment of one of them as the chief executive.
First candidate in the panel was Brigadier (R) Muhammad Zubair Khan, who had the degree of MSc/MPhil (Strategic Security Studies) from the US.
Second candidate was Shamshad Ali Khan, MBA (Technology Management, Thailand) while the third candidate was Colonel (R) Qazil Manzoor Alam, MBA from Preston University.
The Finance Division agreed with the recommendations made by the Kissan Support Services’ board and proposed the appointment of one of the recommended candidates. It solicited approval of the cabinet.
The cabinet considered the summary titled “Concurrence of the Name for Appointment of Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, KSSL” and directed officials to re-advertise the position after removing the shortcomings and improving the eligibility criteria.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2022.
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