The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) raised serious reservations over the manner of removing Chief Executive Officer (former) of Universal Service Fund (USF). The committee, which met with Rafique Rajwana in the chair on Tuesday, also expressed concern over the appointment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chief (PTA) and observed that the haste in the appointment reflects favouritism on the part of the government.
The committee directed USF officials to give complete details including the minutes of the Human Resource Governing Committee (HRGC) meeting in which members decided to remove Ex-CEO USF Riaz Ashar Siddiqui over his poor performance. The committee further directed Secretary IT to provide complete documents of process of removal of Ex-CEO USF. The committee observed that the sign of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who is the minister in-charge of IT on the documents, were not matching.
The committee observed that officials of USF failed to provide documents to substantiate their stance that Ex-CEO was removed due to his poor performance. Faisal Raza Abidi said that no proof has been given in the meeting by the officials that proves anything against the CEO USF, meaning thereby he is not guilty. The committee also observed that appointment of Chairman PTA Farooq Awan was made in haste and reflects favouritism on the part of the government. The committee directed the Cabinet Division to provide record of corruption cases against Chairman PTA in National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Abidi said that FIA has contradicted his figures of grey trafficking in the country, therefore, DG FIA cyber wing should be summoned in the meeting. He said that in 2010 FIA conducted 20 raids and arrested 22 persons and in 2011, 20 raids were conducted and 9 persons were arrested while in 2012 one raid was conducted and one person was held. He said that some officials are involved in it.
Senators said that during second meeting of the committee, relevant record was not provided...and to have complete view of the issue, the committee is giving last opportunity to provide complete record. They further said that Farooq Awan was appointed as member PTA on July 28, 2012 and on July 30, 2012 as chairman PTA. M Asif, Joint Secretary Establishment Division apprised the committee that notification of his appointment was issued rightly on July 28, 2012 so soon after this order, he could be appointed as chairman PTA. The committee questioned JS that as to how they are justifying the decision as it was done on Saturday that was holiday.
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