February 7, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 8, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: The Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL), which is under privatisation process, doled out during 2000-2005 some 43 expensive cars to its senior officials at throwaway prices on their retirement and four cars absolutely free.

These cars were given on their book value as calculated on the date of retirement of the officer. Since 1.01.2003 a floor price of Rs50,000 has been fixed in case the book value is calculated under this limit, the upper house was told during the question-hour on Monday.

Responding to a question from a lawmaker in the Senate, the minister of state for IT said the cars were sold out to officials in accordance with the criteria fixed by the PTCL board which allows 20 per cent flat depreciation on its vehicles and sells them at whatever price is calculated for officials above grade 18.

A Nissan Sunny 1992 model was sold for Rs33,000, another Nissan Sunny for Rs19,566, Suzuki Margalla 1996 for Rs14,442, 17 Suzuki Cultus and Margalla models from 1996 to 2000 for Rs50,000 each, Suzuki Cultus 2000 for Rs60,667, Suzuki Baleno 99 for Rs121,000, Toyota Corrola 2003 for Rs418,671, Suzuki Baleno 2002 for Rs342,000, Toyota Corolla 2002 for Rs512,715, Toyota Corrola 2000 for Rs251,000, Toyota Corrola 1997 Rs308,980, Margalla 98 Rs267,602, Corrola 96 Rs218,700, Corrola 99 Rs256,183, Suzuki Baleno 2000 Rs303,750, Suzuki Baleno 99 Rs144,888, Corrola 99 Rs259,830, Corrola 98 Rs123,167, Corolla 2000 Rs251,883, Baleno 2000 Rs133,650, etc.

Opposition lawmakers strongly criticised the distribution of valuable vehicles among PTCL officials at throwaway prices in the name of the policy given by the board.

Ishaq Dar of the PML (Nawaz) said the policy of depreciation on flat rate was unique and existed nowhere in the world. More objectionable, he said, was distribution of these cars among grade 20 and above officials.

Mr Dar, however, advised the IT ministry not to agitate the matter at this stage as it could harm the sale deal which was being worked out with Etessalat, a Gulf company.

The legislators from Balochistan raised objections against the PIA management for not providing service to their province on quota basis.

In response to a question, the house was told by the minister of state for defence that a total of 4,838 appointments were made in the PIA during the last three years, including 2,075 from Punjab, 1,936 from Sindh, 599 from the NWFP, 104 from Balochsitan, 75 from AJK and 49 from Northern Areas.

A Fata MP criticized the government for providing no employment to the people of tribal areas leave alone fulfilling its quota.

Similarly, in reply to another question, the upper house was informed that apart from two retired navy and army officers namely AVM Iftikhar Ahmed Gul and Brig Sajid Imtiaz Hussain all 25 trainee officers and trainee engineer officials were appointed in the PIA through proper channels. The salary package given to Gul was Rs250,000 and to Brig Sajjad was Rs115,000 per month.