Apropos a news item carried by Business Recorder on October 11, 2010 wherein the allegations attributed to the Minister for Industries and Production are baseless and bear no truth in it. The unnecessary interference of Minister for Industries in the routine work of USC and NFC reported by the newspaper has no legs to stand.
It is further clarified that Utility Stores Corporation (USC) is an autonomous corporate body observing its own rules and regulations in all its operational matters, the Ministry of Industries has little role in its routine working. As regards the reinstatement of an employee of USC, it is mentioned that the employees of any organisation including autonomous body like USC do get removed from services and do get reinstated under the rules and procedures of that organisation. None of employees of USC was dealt with against the rules and procedures of that corporate body.
The news item has also reflected the replacement of GM (Finance) of USC. It may be mentioned here that postings / transfers are a routine matter with any service including that of USC. The said officer is retiring in June 2011 on attaining the age of superannuation. He has been replaced by an experienced officer having 25 years of service in the corporate sector. The said G.M (Finance) has been assigned a very important post of GM (Audit) to utilise his experience.
Business Recorder staff reporter Mushtaq Ghumman adds: The Ministry has not denied that a 'group of three' led by a close relative of a Federal Minister, his friend (a travel agent) and a General Manager is informally running the affairs of the corporation.
Ministry, in its rebuttal states that allegations attributed to the Minister for Industries and Production are baseless, although the Minister for Industries and Production has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the report. In fact, sources close to the Minister who narrated the situation to the correspondent were quoted.
MoI&P is also of the view that it has very little role in USC routine matters, which is not supported by the situation on ground. The Ministry is engaged in pressurising corporations to accommodate its own people in jobs and contracts. The GM, who was sacked by the former Managing Director on corruption charges was reinstated by former Secretary Industries and certified by the incumbent Secretary as Chairman of the USC Board.