A three-member committee of Commerce Ministry in its inquiry report has held Chief Executive Officer of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) Capt. Jamil Ahmad Khan responsible for illegal appointments in the organisation, well informed sources told Business Recorder.
Headed by Chairman Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Mushtaq Ahmad Shaikh, the committee comprised Ministry's Joint Secretary (Admin) and Director General, Trade Policy (TP). In June 2017, the committee had been assigned to examine/enquire into all appointments made in NICL during the last one year and submit its findings to the Commerce Ministry within 30 days of the start of the proceedings. The issue of appointments was raised during a recent meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah.
"The committee has finalised its report to be submitted to the Secretary Commerce, Younus Dagha, who will recommend action against the CEO in consultation with the Commerce Minister," the sources added. According to audit report conducted by DG Audit, NICL Board of Directors, in its 87th meeting held on May 28, 2016, directed to place advertisements in the newspapers for following vacant positions: (i) head of administration; (ii) head of Human Resources;(iii) heads of reinsurance;(iv) head of legal and compliance;(v) head of internal audit;(vi) PS to CEO; and (vi) claims manager.
NICL management placed advertisements in the newspapers on August 31, 2016 for appointments to various key positions on a permanent basis. The requirement of qualification for eight positions was graduation with age limit between 40 to 55 years. However, qualifications for re-insurance underwriter was ACII/FCII, Investment Officer, ACA/ ACCA/ ACMA, Law officer LLB/LLM, head of risk management BE and head of development system development MS/MBA(Mis)/ MSc. The management of NICL made 9 appointments against 13 positions.
A senior official of Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder that CEO made few appointments of his former close aides from M/s Alpha Insurance Co. Ltd despite the fact that the federal government had barred him from fresh appointments. There are also reports that Commerce Ministry has reservations about the CEO NICL not fulfilling its "wishes" which has already been brought into the knowledge of incumbent Secretary Commerce, Younus Dagha, who was personally monitoring the inquiry.
The audit had also observed that the eligibility criteria for appointment to key positions was altered unlawfully in violation of BoD decision in its 5th meeting held on May 28, 2016 to accommodate otherwise ineligible candidates. The requirements of age and experience were also changed for ulterior motives. The date of issuance of offer of appointment and acceptance by the selected candidates was the same.
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