The former managing director of OGDCL, Masood Siddiqui was alleged to have made over 600 illegal appointments during his tenure. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The caretaker government on Monday sent the heads of two oil and gas exploration companies packing, following allegations of irregularities in appointment and corruption. The government issued notifications of the immediate dismissal of head of the country’s largest oil and gas explorer, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) Masood Siddiqui and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL) CEO Raja Irfan Nasr.
When contacted, Petroleum Minister Suhail Wajahat confirmed that notification of the dismissal of Masood Siddiqui had been issued. “I will interview the senior officials of the OGDCL to appoint an acting head,” Wajahat said. The minister declined to comment on the performance of former OGDCL chief.
An official of Petroleum Ministry said that these heads were sacked also on account of their poor performance. Internal sources told The Express Tribune that both the executives were removed from their positions by the ministry after the approval of caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso.
The former managing director of OGDCL, Masood Siddiqui was alleged to have made over 600 illegal appointments during his tenure. He is also said to have offered undue favour to some parties in huge procurement contracts
A controversy had erupted soon after the appointment of the said chief as he was appointed on the recommendations of a headhunter which was hired by petroleum ministry in contravention of the PPRA rules. The ministry had offered the top lucrative slot to Siddiqui without any advertisement; although it had sought nomination of four candidates from the headhunter for the post of OGDCL managing director, which was also contrary to rules and regulations.
Under the rules, the headhunter was also required to advertise to fill the post in a bid to ensure transparency while Masood Siddiqui had not applied in response to the advertisement published in national newspapers.
He was awarded contract of three years’ service while the contract period advertised in the papers was two years. He was also 49 years whereas he was supposed to be 55 years as per the recruitment policy.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (12)
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Well, as far as the allegations of corruption are concerned let us leave to enquiries/courts to sort it out. I agree with the point made why he had not applied for the job. To my knowledge, given his clean past, extra-ordinary boldness and tallent, he was persuaded to take up this role which he accepted after a thorough consideration. Offering employment as staff to the contractor seems a sensible decision as it is a norm that contractors cost much more than your own staff! His sacking means discontinuation of his efforts he put in to improve the standarsd of this key organization.
Its embarrassing and a little pathetic the lengths that local politicians will go to to place people that will be useful to them in the most crucial positions. Masood Siddiqui was not one of those people. If anything, the fact that he didn't apply for the job proves his credibility and proves the fact that he wasn't a power-hungry man looking to exploit an opportunity. I am certain that none of the appointments that he made were illegal, and if he raised salaries for ogdcl employees it was about damn time. Pakistani state-owned organizations are notorious for under-paying or even completely neglecting to pay employees, if anything he corrected that wrong. As for the bullet-proof car, I don't understand how its unethical if its approved by the board. No body seems to question the use of armoured vehicles by the countrys politicians, and God knows this man had more authority as MD OGDCL than some of the clowns currently in government. If he had anything to hide he would not be contesting his removal in court right now.
Masood Siddiqui is one on the most principled, honest and patriotic people I have met in my life. The loss is ours as a nation, not his. He is highly qualified and one of the few people in the country capable enough to run an enterprise like OGDC.
What a shame that we are attributing to him what was actually a failure of the government's lack of clarity in following the correct procedures for hiring. And for those who know even a little bit about him, it is impossible to believe that he appointed a single person incorrectly or did or allowed any wrongdoing.
We each lose a little bit of our integrity every time we shoot down a son of the soil like him.
What a shame.
I think ppl have not read properly at all... It was stated 2 years he was given 3 years ... Did not apply for the post..age required 55 but he was 49... Still cant understand if the government has taken the right step by removing him ..why are ppl crictising ...
Do not believe every word. Big loss for a company doing so well. He was qualified and motivated. 600 appointments where I am sure not for himself.. probably political pressure but that is not going to change when the new MD comes in. He was one of the few who resisted this pressure to the utmost. My guess is something more personal in nature.
Most top slots in big companies are filled by head hunters .. why shuld OGDCL be any different. People who respond to adds for jobs are usually out of a job, why would you want to hire an MD who has already been sacked from somewhere else for the largest company in Pakistan
Finally OGDCL had found a competitive and energetic MD after a lot of interview sessions conducted thrice. A big loss for the company.
He did not even apply for the job and got the md post what about those who applied for it... Good decision to remove him.
Well the way he was appointed was wrong .., making 600 illegal appointments...finally some justice...
HE WAS FROM POLITICAL PARTY @Dr. Saleem Siddiqi:
Caretaker Government is over-stepping their authority. It is unfortunate and sad news for OGDC as I personally know Masood Siddiqi [none of my relation] is highly qualified in Petroleum Engineering from USA and worked in various Multinational Companies throughout his career at top slots.
Regards Dr. Saleem Siddiqi