Business

SNGPL board removes managing director

Step taken over alleged corruption; board will make final decision after review

Our Correspondent February 19, 2023

SNGPL’s former employee is tipped to win the post.

ISLAMABAD:

The board of directors of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has removed Managing Director Ali J Hamdani over charges of alleged corruption in mega gas pipeline projects.

The board has given acting charge to Amer Tufail. The board of directors, in their 600th meeting on February 18, 2023, passed a resolution that Hamdani should cease to exercise his powers as MD with immediate effect and until the board and/or a committee, formed by it, expeditiously completed a review of the matters.

The committee will review the matters discussed in the board meeting and the board will finally make a decision with respect to the future of the MD.

The board has revoked the Power of Attorney in the MD’s favour till further orders and has delegated powers to Amer Tufail DMD(S), the senior most officer, with immediate effect.

It gave directives to ensure smooth operations and continuity of business through the respective heads of department/ SGMs reporting to Amer Tufail, the Acting Managing Director.

Hamdani did not respond to the request for comment.

According to documents submitted to the board, the SNGPL management sanctioned funds for the construction of a visitor’s/ parliamentarian’s lounge during the 197th management committee meeting on July 1, 2021.

Accordingly, the management sanctioned Rs7.58 million (excluding general sales tax) on July 7, 2021. Thereafter, SNGPL issued a work order of Rs8.6 million to the successful bidder the very next day.

However, the management (former MD) floated a tender on August 18, 2021, which was termed clear violation of the company’s policies and procedures, said the documents.

The MD Secretariat also charged Rs5 million, which was 67% of the total civil work cost, in violation of the company’s policies and procedures.

The MD Secretariat kept seven vehicles in its control despite the fact that the MD had been officially given only one vehicle.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2023.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.