Cleaning up the mess: PSO demotes seven general managers
Action taken following findings of a four-member investigative committee.
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Perks and privileges of the demoted officials have also been withdrawn, say sources.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.
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.