The Prime Minister Secretariat, while expressing its annoyance, has asked how the chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc), Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, is keeping the post despite the end of his term and has sought an explanation from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
“The PM Secretariat has written a strongly worded letter to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, asking it to explain how the Parc chairman is holding the slot after the expiry of contract on September 11,” a source told The Express Tribune.
The secretariat sprang into action after the food security ministry sent a summary once again, seeking the prime minister’s nod for a second extension in the service contract.
Ahmed retired from government service on March 31, 2012, but he was rehired by the previous government for another two years, which ended on September 11, 2014.
After winning contract extension, Ahmed set his salary himself at the maximum level, prompting the finance department to recover Rs1.9 million from him, sources said.
He was also giving approval to important tasks almost daily despite having no legal case for sticking to the slot.
“Normally, the establishment secretary and finance secretary evaluate the summary sent for appointment of an official on MP-1 scale, but this process has been ignored,” the source said. “The Ministry of National Food Security has directly sent a summary to the prime minister for another extension in the contract of Parc chairman.”
In a similar instance during the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a Parc chairman had held the office after retirement and continued to approve crucial tasks, which led to several audit observations.
Sources, however, pointed out that the salary of Parc chairman had been blocked since the end of his term, though he was enjoying other perks and privileges including luxury cars. He is also attending different workshops as the head of the research council.
Ahmed’s case has also led to differences between Food Secretary Seerat Asghar and Food Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan. Contrary to the secretary’s backing for a second contract extension, the minister is opposing any such proposal.
Sources suggested that the government was trying to appoint the vice chancellor of University of Agriculture Faisalabad as the head of Parc – a slot for which senior-most scientists working in the council are also strong candidates.
The controversy may have its implications for the all-important agriculture sector, which is called the backbone of the country’s economy.
“It seems that the government gives no priority to agriculture, which is the mainstay of the economy,” the source said, pointing out that the Parc board of governors, which monitors research and other activities of the council, had only one regular member for the last several months.
Recently, the government has published advertisements to hire five regular members to streamline its operations.
Both Parc chairman and food secretary did not respond when approached for comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2014.
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