Transparency International (TI) Pakistan has declared the appointment of Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Engineering Development Board (EDB) illegal and requested the Prime Minister, Supreme Court of Pakistan and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chairman Prime Minister Inspection Commission to hold an inquiry into this issue. Minister for Industries and Production (MoI&P), Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi has been sent a letter about the alleged wrongdoings of CEO EDB.
According to the letter, Transparency International Pakistan was made aware of allegations of 'unconstitutional' appointment of CEO EDB from news reports. The reports made the following allegations: (i) Ministry of Industries & Production (MoI&P) has reportedly misguided the interview panel headed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Khawaja Zaheer Ahmad about the qualification of incumbent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineering Development Board ( EDB); (ii) The Selection Board on 30th January, 2015 selected the former CEO EDB Engineer Qazi Ebadullah Khan and Syed Kaukab Mohyuddine for the job out of 10 candidates; (iii) the Board, however, argued that it would be advisable to expand the competition after revision of qualifications, and pay packages and the post was re-advertised on February 11, 2015 and selection criteria were revised; (iv) out of 35 applicants, five candidates who fully responded to the advertised criteria were short listed. Four candidates appeared for interview on February 26, 2015 of which the names of three were considered as suitable to lead the EDB; (iv) advertisement for the post that appeared in newspaper specified that EDB was seeking applications from candidates with a bachelor degree in engineering and an MBA from a reputable university of Pakistan or abroad, recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the CEO in scale MP-1. It was also mentioned in the advertisement that the candidate must possess at least 20 years of professional experience with a minimum of 3-5 years at top management position or as head of national/ multinational organisation; (v) Mr. Tariq Ejaz Chaudhry the man selected for the post does not meet the advertised qualification requirements. As MBA degree was mandatory for candidates. MS Degree was submitted which has not been verified from HEC as equivalent to MBA; (vi) the PhD Degree of CEO is also not verified by HEC. "Western Valley Central University" USA, from where he claims he acquired a PhD degree in 2011 while serving in Saudi Arabia, is reportedly an illegal diploma mill and accredited to any US educational authority and has no authority to issue valid diplomas; and (vii) CEO, EDB since the date of appointment has been drawing Rs 95,910/- per month in lieu of official transport but is concurrently using official car Toyota Altis, bearing registration No GAA-500 on a full-time basis since the day he assumed the charge of this post.
Transparency International Pakistan has examined the allegations and argues that the appointment of CEO EDB is prima facie illegal and he no longer be allowed to use the official car. The Minister for Industries & Production has been requested to examine the complaint, and take notice of these allegations, and if the complaint is found correct, all the illegal acts may be reverted, and action may be taken against all those who are responsible for the misuse of authority.
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