ISLAMABAD:
The top management of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has taken action and demoted several general managers who were promoted in violation of the promotion policy set by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Perks and privileges of the demoted officials have also been withdrawn, say sources.
The action was taken on Monday following findings of a four-member committee constituted by Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain.
The committee comprised PSO Board of Management Chairman Suhail Wajahat, PSO Managing Director Naeem Yahya Mir, Petroleum Ministry’s Joint Secretary Hamid Asghar and the head of human resource committee of PSO’s board of management.
The committee gave a presentation to Hussain on its findings relating to the promotion cases before taking action.
When approached, committee member Hamid Asghar remarked, “Yes, the committee has found irregularities in promotion cases and now action has been taken to ensure transparency in the whole process of promotion.”
According to the sources, seven general managers have been demoted to the post of deputy general manager. They either failed the tests, interviews or did not meet required criteria of the promotion policy.
In February this year, several deputy general managers had been promoted and made general managers, but many senior officials were ignored, raising eyebrows. Some managers were also promoted to the post of deputy general manager.
Media reports about the promotion of blue-eyed boys prompted the government to press the joint secretary of petroleum ministry to seek a report from PSO, the largest oil marketing company of the country. After assessing the report submitted by the PSO management, it was established that promotions were made by following a ‘pick and choose’ policy ignoring merit and seniority.
According to the sources, the acting managing director gave acting charge of general manager to several junior officers.
“The petroleum ministry had given a promotion policy under which officers had to undergo tests and interviews, but the officers were promoted while ignoring the criteria,” a source said, adding the ministry then formed a four-member committee to conduct tests and interviews.
“Now, two officers have been promoted to the post of senior general manager and six officers have been made general manager after passing tests and interviews,” the source said, adding orders had been issued. New promotions will be made in June 2013.
Talking to The Express Tribune, PSO Managing Director Naeem Yahya Mir stressed, “there is no demotion as they (officers) were on probation. In addition, the process is still not finalised as it needs ratification from the board.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Sana Bucha: Ms Bucha i believe you are the same TV anchor who is known for her fiery approach. I really appreciate that somebody from the journalist community has finally used the words YELLOW JOURNALISM, you must also ask why members of board committees have to use such tactics the answer is because they are bulldozed into doing things which these common mortals do not agree with but cannot stop, Chairman of the Board is a smooth talking arm twister who not only pressurizes the members but uses every trick in the book to promote a culture of favoritism, PlEASE don't take my word for it but discretely inquire yourself .I implore you to dig out the facts and save this organization which is an asset of the country but is being run as a fiefdom by people who have no clue of this industry. Thanks.
This is another case of yellow journalism. A vilicfication campaign was run by only one news paper i.e Express Tribune on the behest of certain individuals present in the board commitee. The merits and demerits of each individuals were not taken into consderation. As a result all those who didnot have connections in the right place were dropped. Those that have been dropped can only prey as their caree has been adversely affected by the smeer campaign, and Allah wrath be bestowed upon those who ran the smear campaign
I have dealt with PSO in the past as part of a trade oil agreement. I am very surprised to hear that age discrimination is still valid in Pakistan. What is wrong with having a young GM who is qualified? The first steps towards modernising a country is get rid of all gender and age biased laws.
I agree with Mr Mirza that politicians should not have interfered with a decision. All the interference by politicians in business has led to the collapse of our economy. It is shameful to demote someone who has been rightfully promoted, if they weren't promoted is one thing but to slap them on the face is accusatory and wrong.
At least during Musharaff era these practices were being limited and controlled.
Dear Mr Bhutta,
As a legal professional I can inform you the constitutionally it is not in the remit of a Government Minister to interfere with public or private sector companies. It is precisely this illegitimate process that has led to what used to be several world class companies like PIA which have become third rate bankrupt organisations. It is my understanding the some of these promotions especially of the technical and IT team were done on a merit, qualification and experience basis. In fact these staff are so important that without them the organisation will collapse.
So I will empathise with these staff that they might leave the organisation that has unfairly demoted hem after the same organisation promoted them. PSO is likely to become a third rate organisations just like PIA as long as politicians from their Gold Palaces keep interfering with organisational and operational of the few companies left in our country that still had respect.
Regards,
Mirza
Now the real blue eyed boys have been promoted, People who were resisting and fighting this corrupt government in pushing the country further into circular debt had been sidelined and hushed by demoting them.
We have dealt with PSO for business contracts. They are really pathetic bunch of people. I wish Indian Oil can buy PSO and then learn how to become a state owned oil company.
The policy that was circulated in 2011 by Ministry of petroleum , and which was implemented in PSO has the following criteria for General Managers
At least Bachelors Degree Passing of Test of IBA or Lums Interview 15 % Past Performance 15%
There is no mention of minimum age and minimum experience in the policy, There are two candidates whose ages are 43.7years and who have been told that the minimum age is 44 , and they have been demoted, on the contrary Asif Aslam who is 42 years old has been promoted, he has been give promotion every consecutive year. Similar other cases where a individual close to the advisor has been promoted thrice in last four years and has been elevated to Senior general manager Khawar Jilani brother of Foreging Secretary and relative of Yosuf Raza Gilani has been promoted. Those demoted have been done on pick and choose basis, and there is no clear cut policy as no criteria exist. Tribune should bring out true facts as the four member team that developed the new criteria and which is not a policy was made to suit individuals that ministry wanted to promote.
The people who promoted them should be taken at task.
Tariq Kirmani was the last capable MD of PSO, and together with the then Chairman he led the company very well. Since then all top slot holders have been incapable of managing this once great organization.
The reporter is requested to straighten his facts first, these so called promotions were done by these very people who are members of this committee i.e the new MD who on his second or third day in office issued a series of circulars for promotions, the strange thing is how can he judge the potential of all these officers whom he promoted in just 2 days, after spending almost 30 years in Kuwait and above all the chairman PSO who is in fact running the company, the gentleman who has no authority whatsoever in running the day to day affairs of the company, is interfering in everything, creating encouraging internal rivalries and is actually responsible for creating a pathetic work environment with in this once great organization. As for the promotions of 2 senior General Mangers they are the junior most GM's as per the seniority list of GM's and are promoted just because of the fact that THEY ARE THE BLUE EYED ones. So Sir, Please don't use headings like cleaning up the mess, in fact they have them self created this mess and ironically they have been asked to fix this irregularity committed by themselves.If you really want to do a favor to this organization EXPOSE THEM don't give them CREDIT.
Good.Now give them salary increase