Expressing its dissatisfaction over the performance of Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed the management of the Corporation to adopt an aggressive marketing policy to explore international markets for Pakistani labour.
PAC, which met here with MNA Malik Allah Yar Khan in the chair, observed that OEC over the years had not been able to achieve the targets for which it was established.
The Committee discussed audit and performance reports of Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis and its attached departments for the financial year 2000-01.
While discussing the performance report of OEC, the committee opined that Pakistan had an immense human resource potential, which could be employed overseas to increase the quantum of foreign remittances.
Public Accounts Committee observed that there was a constant decline in the business targets of OEC and major portion of the overseas jobs had been shifted to the private employment promoters, owing to the unprofessional approach of the management.
The Chairman directed the Managing Director OEC to have a constant liaison with labour officers in Pakistan's Missions aboard to create job opportunities for the skilled labour.
PAC expressed its concern on accumulated losses of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) amounting to Rs 99.761 million in the year 2000-01.
Malik Allah Yar asked the ministry to redefine the role of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and thoroughly revamp the organisation in order to ensure maximum participation of the Pak expatriates in the national development.
PAC also lamented the decision of OPF for indulging into the business of brick making. The Chairman termed it a "clear deviation" from the charter of OPF and directed the MD to immediately take up the issue with the higher authorities for quick disposal of land of Kaghan Brick Works Limited.
Members of the PAC were also critical about the performance of OPF. They were of the view that most of the projects for the overseas Pakistanis had been initiated in the large cities and the rural areas were totally neglected. The PAC chairman directed the OPF management that in future welfare projects should also be set up in rural areas.
While discussing audit paras pertaining to Employees Old age Benefits Institution (EOBI), PAC termed its performance unsatisfactory.
The Committee expressed its displeasure on the decision of investing Rs 160 million in Bankers Equity Limited (BEL) in the year 1995, by the then chairman.
PAC was informed that after the bankruptcy of BEL and its subsequent take-over by State Bank of Pakistan; the liquidation of BEL was in process under the supervision of Sindh High Court and Rs 216 million in respect of original investment and the mark-up thereof would be recovered.
However, PAC directed the EOBI management to actively pursue the proceedings and in future, investment should only be made in government securities.
MNAs Chaudhry Qamaruz Zaman Kaira, Lieutenant Colonel Ghulam Rasool Sahi (Retd), Professor Asiya Azeem, Liaquat Baloch, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Riaz Fatiyana, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad and Kunwar Khalid Younus attended the PAC meeting.
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