The Board of Directors (BoD) of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) approved irregular appointments from 2006 to 2010 on 25 key posts at attractive packages in violation of rules and regulations. Sources told Business Recorder that out of total 25 apointees, 12 have left OGDC whereas 13 officials are still working for the company.
In a report submitted to National Assembly standing committee on petroleum and natural resources, a copy of which is available with Business Recorder, OGDC management admitted that the appointments were made without advertising the posts and that the successful candidates lacked relevant experience and qualifications. Aftab Ahmad was appointed in OGDC as Executive Director (ED), Strategy Business Planning (SBP), in 2006 without advertisement, at a financially attractive package of Rs 780,087 per month. He is still working in the company at the same lucrative package.
According to a report, Masood Nabi was appointed as Executive Director, Joint Venture (JV), in 2009, without relevant experience, at Rs 800,000 per month. He is still holding the office. Sources said the current management of the company has asked him either to resign or accept a demotion to the slot of General Manager (GM).
Another official, Asif Sindhu, was appointed in 2009 as ED, Finance, at Rs 800,000 per month salary, without the post having been advertised. He is still holding the office.
Colonel (retd) Shafqat Hussain was appointed as GM, Communication in September 2008. The Board of Directors in its 99th meeting held on November 27, 2008 approved that employment contract of Colonel (retd) Shafqat Hussain be terminated on advice of GHQ due to financial embezzlement charges against him but he is still in employ.
Tariq Mahmood who is a simple diploma holder, was appointed as Manager, Social Welfare Implementation in 2008, and BoD has also approved his termination. But he is also still employed.
Sarfaraz Uddin Siddiqui was appointed as GM, Oil and Gas Training Institute (OGTI), at Rs 350,000 per month salary. He is currently ineligible as he has reached the age of 60. But he is now seeking extension which is in gross violation of rules and regulations.
Other officials whose appointments were made against rules and regulations and are still holding offices include: Qamar Zaman GM Joint Venture, Salman Amin GM Audit, Lieutenant Colonel (r) Javaid Iqbal Assistant Manager, Security, Talal Haider Chief Human Resource (HR) officer, Babar Iftikhar Deputy Chief Engineer Health Safety, Mehurinsa Jehangir Khan deputy chief corporate Law and Mobeen Aftktar deputy chief corporate legal.
The NA body on petroleum had taken serious notice of irregular appointments in OGDC in its meeting held on July 24, 2010 and had directed the company management to fire them. "After more than two months, the company management has yet to take any action against irregular appointments," sources added.