OGDC MD resigns on fears of being sacked

Govt in process of removing heads of some oil and gas firms.

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) Managing Director Masood Siddiqui on Tuesday tendered his resignation because of fears over termination of his contract by the government.

Earlier, Siddiqui was removed by the caretaker government but the Supreme Court reinstated him.

Now, the PML-N government has terminated the services of Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL) CEO Raja Irfan Nasr and Siddiqui was also expected to be sacked.



According to sources, the Establishment Division is processing cases to fire heads of some oil and gas companies, but Siddiqui resigned to avoid termination.

Siddiqui was alleged to have made over 600 illegal appointments during his tenure and was also said to have offered undue favour to some parties in large procurement contracts.

A controversy had erupted soon after the appointment of OGDC chief as he was brought on the recommendations of a headhunter, hired by the petroleum ministry in contravention of PPRA rules. The ministry offered the top slot to Siddiqui without any selection process, although it had sought nomination of four candidates from the headhunter, also contrary to the rules and regulations.

Under the rules, the headhunter was required to advertise for the post in a bid to ensure transparency. However, Siddiqui did not apply in response to the advertisements published in national newspapers.

He was awarded a three-year contract, contrary to the two-year contract advertised in newspapers. He was 49 years of age, though his age should be 55 years as per policy.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2013.

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