Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to re-appoint incumbent Member Finance Ogra, Noorul Haq for another four years on the recommendations of Petroleum Ministry, well informed sources told Business Recorder
Noorul Haque was appointed as member (Finance) in Ogra in Management Position (MP-II) scale by the federal government for initial term of two years in accordance with section 3(8) (c ) of the Ogra Ordinance, 2002 which is as follows - Section 3(8)(c) " the Member, Finance shall be appointed by the federal government for initial term of two years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a term of four years".
He joined Ogra on July 23, 2015. His first tenure of two years is expiring on July 22, 2017. He has played an important role in respect of activities pertaining to finance, tariff, accounts, planning and determining the revenue requirements of gas companies. Noorul Haq is an experienced and eminent finance professional. He has to his credit thirty years' working experience on different positions. Chairperson, Ogra has recommended his case for re-appointment.
The sources said, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had constituted a committee on April 11, 2017 to evaluate the performance of employees serving in MP in the light of assigned targets and recommend whether or not the contract should be renewed: (i) Secretary Finance Division (Chairman) ;(ii) Secretary Cabinet Division (Member); and (iii) Secretary Establishment.
The performance report for the officer, furnished by the Chairperson, Ogra was placed before the committee which after evaluating it has recommended his re-appointment. According to Petroleum Ministry, regulatory affairs of Ogra and the implementation of the federal government policies and decisions relating to oil and gas sectors are carried out collectively by the Authority. Section 4 of Ogra Ordinance provides that Chairman and two other members shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Authority requiring a decision by the Authority. At present, Chairperson and two members are working.
The post of member gas is vacant and is under process for appointment. The ground situation transpires that any further vacancy in the Authority would make it dysfunctional till appointment of new incumbent which is a time taking process.
After explaining current affairs of Ogra, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has recommended that the federal government may re-appoint Noorul Haq Member (Finance) Ogra for the second term of four years in terms of Section (3) (8) ( c) of the Ogra Ordinance, 2002 in MP-II scale.